Democrats: Criminal probe required over HDC’s “theft”

The Democrats has called for a criminal investigation in the wake of allegations against Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for giving land plots from Hulhumale’ under the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme to people who were not on the list of recipients in a direct violation of regulations.

Documents leaked on social media appear to show that multiple people were given land from Hulhumale’ under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme despite not being on the list of recipients released in 2023 during the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration.

This includes HDC’s Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed’s elder brother, Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the deputy managing director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

The allegations have been denied by Fazul during a press conference last night.

However, on Thursday morning, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) suspended Fazul alongside the rest of HDC’s board members except for Chairperson Ahmed Nasif.

The Democrats released a statement in connection to the case in which they stressed that the leaked documents prove HDC was made aware that the land plots were not issued under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme the moment falsified documents were submitted in filing the application to build boundary walls around the property. As such, the party said this proves HDC permitted building the boundary wall around the “stolen property” with clear knowledge.

Democrats stressed that a criminal investigation should be launched against HDC for hiding this huge theft instead of seeking an investigation from the authorities.

“It is extremely concerning that the individuals implicated in the case are Fazul and his brother Fazeel who were nominated and appointed the posts directly by the President. We note that the current administration has been allowing the opportunity for such political appointees continuously accused of various allegations to remain in their posts and leverage their capacity for undue personal and political benefit without conducting an adequate investigation or taking action against them,” the party added.

Democrats said repeated words and actions from individuals directly appointed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu establish that the current administration’s way foundation of running the government is centered on corruption, theft and dishonesty.

The party emphasized that delays by the government in handing over municipal services in Hulhumale’ to Male’ City Council in accordance with the constitution and the Decentralization further paves the way for such instances of corruption and misconduct.

Commenting on the case on Thursday morning, the President’s Office’s Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed affirmed that the rights of any of the recipients of land under the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme have not and will not be violated.

Notably, police raided HDC headquarters on Wednesday in connection to the case which is also under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The case has come to light amid concerns from recipients of land and flats over the delays in the handover of their rightful properties by the current administration.