In a controversial move, the authorities have lifted the travel restrictions imposed on individuals implicated in the Binveriyaa housing scheme scandal, including former Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed and his brother, Ibrahim Fazeel Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of MWSC.
The pair, along with 20 other officials from HDC and the Ministry of Housing, had their passports seized in December 2024 after documents circulating on social media prompted an investigation into irregularities in the scheme. At the heart of the controversy was a plot of land allegedly claimed through forged documents.
The issue first surfaced in June 2024 when Fazeel Rasheed applied for permission from HDC to build a boundary wall around a Binveriyaa plot, despite not being a registered recipient or meeting the eligibility criteria. His application, submitted on 30 June, raised red flags when the land registry was forwarded to the Housing Ministry for verification. A second application for the same plot had also been submitted by Abdul Majeed Mahir, who was found to be registered in Haa Alifu Dhidhdhoo, not Malé, rendering him ineligible under the scheme’s terms.
Following a public outcry and online leaks of internal documents in December, the police launched an investigation. Fazul Rasheed and the entire HDC board were subsequently suspended by the government, and Fazul later resigned from his post.
The Binveriyaa scheme, launched under the previous administration, was designed to provide housing plots to long-term Malé residents without land of their own. While the scheme was hailed as a landmark in housing reform, it has faced repeated allegations of procedural loopholes and political favoritism.
The lifting of the travel ban comes as the criminal investigation remains ongoing. Fazeel Rasheed is still under investigation for alleged forgery in connection with the plot application, and authorities have not yet confirmed whether charges will be filed.
The decision to lift the travel restrictions has sparked outrage among the public, who are calling for a transparent and thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption and abuse of power within the Binveriyaa scheme. The case has become a litmus test for the government’s commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring accountability in the housing sector.
About the Binveriyaa Housing Scheme:
The Binveriyaa housing scheme was launched by the previous administration with the aim of providing housing plots to long-term residents of Malé who did not own land. However, the scheme has been embroiled in allegations of nepotism, procedural irregularities, and political favoritism, undermining public trust in the government’s efforts to address the nation’s housing crisis.
About Housing Development Corporation (HDC):
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is the state-owned entity responsible for the development and management of public housing in the Maldives. The corporation has been at the center of the Binveriyaa scandal, with senior officials accused of abusing their positions and engaging in corrupt practices.
Contact:
For further information or inquiries, please contact the Housing Development Corporation at info@hdc.gov.mv or visit their website at www.hdc.gov.mv.
