Police raid HDC ex-MD Fazul’s home; seize electronic devices

The police raided the private residence of Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, the former managing director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on Monday, amid a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption in the award of housing from Hulhumale’.

A police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that Fazul’s home in Male’ City was searched under a court warrant on Monday night.

The police added that they seized evidence from the residence, including electronic devices.

“The police seized items needed for the investigation during the raid. This includes several electronic devices,” said the spokesperson.

Fazul, who was appointed as the managing director of state-owned HDC in November 2023, resigned from the post on December 21, following his implication in allegations of corruption against the HDC in the award of housing, including land and apartments from Hulhumale’.

A flurry of documents leaked on social media on December 18 appeared 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 Fazul’s older brother Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the deputy managing director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

In a press conference held on Wednesday night – as angry protestors surrounded the HDC headquarters in Hulhumale’ – Fazul denied the allegations against HDC, insisting that the corporation has no involvement in issuing plots under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme.

He also played off the implication of his brother as a mere “coincidence”, and insisted that the situation does not pose a conflict of interest.

Fazeel, as well as Fazul and the entire board of HDC, except for chairperson Ahmed Nasif, and at least four top officials in the corporation’s management, were placed under suspension the next day. The authorities also imposed a travel ban on at least 24 officials, including Fazul and Fazeel.

Fazul tendered his resignation on December 21, after more documents leaked on social media suggesting multiple individuals were  issued apartments from Vinares by the HDC based on forged payment slips to SeaLife Global after it was decided to compensate victims of the SeaLife scam with the apartments.

In his resignation later, Fazul maintained his innocence but said he decided to resign to “make for the investigation” into the case.

He was replaced with former construction minister Mohamed Mauroof Jameel the next day.

Multiple employees have been dismissed from the HDC in the wake of the allegations – which are being investigated by both the police and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The corruption scandal comes amid mounting public frustration over the delay in handover of flats and land awarded under the 'Binveriya' and 'Gedhoruveriya' housing schemes.