The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has suspended 10 political appointees over allegations of irregularities in the allocation of land under the “Binveriya” housing scheme.
While the suspensions have not been officially announced, officials confirmed that the individuals include deputy ministers and political directors. The Maldives Police Service and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have launched investigations into the allegations.
The scandal has also prompted action from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), which suspended five senior officials allegedly involved in fraudulent land allocations. Those suspended include IT Head Abdulla Shuhood, Deputy IT Head Mohamed Salim, Chief Business Officer Ahmed Yameen, Chief Financial Officer Abdulla Faaidh, and Deputy Director of the Estate Ahmed Aiman.
In addition, Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the Deputy Managing Director of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) and brother of HDC’s Managing Director Fazul Rasheed, has been suspended. Allegations against Fazeel include attempting to secure land in Hulhumalé Phase II using fraudulent documents.
Earlier, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) suspended all members of HDC’s board, except Chairman Ahmed Naasif, following claims that HDC facilitated the allocation of land worth MVR 450 million to approximately 50 ineligible individuals.
Public anger over the scandal has intensified, with protesters demanding arrests of those involved. The controversy has deepened further after a fire last week destroyed critical documents in three government ministries, including the Ministry of Housing, sparking speculation about a possible cover-up.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the dismissal of Fazul Rasheed and swift action against all implicated individuals. Neither HDC nor government officials have provided further comments on the latest developments.