Malé, Maldives — Maldivian authorities have withheld the passports of 24 individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the allocation of land plots under the Binveriyaa Scheme. The individuals include prominent figures such as Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), his elder brother and Deputy Managing Director of MWSC Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, former State Minister for Housing and Urban Development Akram Kamaaludheen, HDC Board Directors, and senior officials from both the current and former Housing Ministries.

The Maldives Police Service and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are conducting a joint criminal investigation into allegations that land plots were allocated to individuals deemed ineligible during the evaluation process under the previous administration.

Police have disclosed that preliminary findings indicate unverified documents were issued by officials of the previous administration. Speaking about the investigation, police assured that the probe would be conducted thoroughly, stating, “Regardless of the person, we will investigate from all angles.”

The irregularities surfaced when HDC sought the Housing Ministry’s approval to construct boundary walls on some plots. It was then revealed that certain plots had been allocated using unverified documents submitted by disqualified individuals, including Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed.

In response to the allegations, the Maldives Police Service raided the HDC head office in Hulhumalé to gather evidence. Authorities are currently scrutinizing the allocation process and any misconduct linked to the disqualified recipients.

The government has pledged transparency and accountability throughout the investigation, assuring the public that rightful landowners under the Binveriyaa Scheme will retain their entitlements.

As the probe deepens, further updates are expected on the actions taken against those implicated in the irregularities.