Allegations have surfaced that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) facilitated the allocation of land worth approximately MVR 450 million to individuals ineligible under the “Binveriya” housing scheme. The controversy reportedly began after the current government assumed office, with leaked documents exposing fraudulent activities.

The allegations, brought to light by the pseudonymous X account @HKurusee, suggest that around 50 individuals received land despite failing to meet the eligibility criteria. Among them is Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) and brother of HDC Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed. Fazeel, who had previously benefited from a government housing scheme, was ineligible for Binveriya but allegedly still received land.

Sources within HDC claim that fraudulent land registries were created to facilitate the allocations. When HDC notified the Ministry of Housing before handing over the land, the ministry flagged that the recipients were not listed under the Binveriya scheme. State Minister Ibrahim Nizam, who raised the red flag, reportedly faced pressure from Fazul to withdraw the letters.

The scandal has led to increased public scrutiny of HDC and government operations, particularly as police launched an investigation into the corporation. However, concerns have been raised that the focus of the investigation may be on identifying the whistleblower rather than addressing the allegations of misconduct.

The timing of a fire that destroyed three key government ministries in Malé last week has also raised suspicions. The fire, which damaged the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Environment, destroyed critical documents, though no injuries were reported.

Fazul has previously faced allegations of misconduct, including accusations that he facilitated a land allocation for his wife on an instalment basis directly through HDC, avoiding traditional bank financing and interest payments.

Neither HDC nor the Maldives Police Service has issued an official statement.