The Maldives Police Service (MPS) on Friday imposed travel bans on 20 people which include Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, his brother, Deputy Managing Director of Malé Water and Sewerage Company Pvt. Ltd. (MWSC) Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed amid the investigation into the alleged fraud in the allocation of land under a government housing scheme.
The police confirmed that the court had sanctioned the travel bans of 20 people connected to the ongoing investigation into the alleged fraud in the allocation of land and flats under the previous government’s ‘Binveriyaa’ and ‘Gedhoruveriyaa' housing scheme.
MPS late Wednesday launched an investigation and raided the HDC head office after the major fraud scandal came to light over the handling of Hulhumalé land plots.
MPS during a press conference on Thursday evening said, suspected forgery of documents have been linked to three different land plots during the investigation so far.
“So far, based on information provided by those questioned and our investigation, we have identified that these documents were obtained during the former administration,” Head of Central Investigation Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Shareef told reporters.
On Wednesday, HDC came under heavy scrutiny after it emerged that land plots had been issued to non-recipients under the Binveriyaa Scheme. In response, the entire HDC board, with the exception of its Chairperson, were suspended, along with the corporation’s Managing Director Fazul.
The allegations around Fazul are particularly controversial as his brother, Fazeel is directly implicated in the scandal. Fazeel has likewise been suspended from his position pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) meanwhile, has launched a separate investigation to look into the allegations of corruption in the scandal.
Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef has ordered MPS and the ACC to seek charges if any violations are found.
In addition, the Prosecutor General has also asked the authorities to provide weekly updates on the progress of the investigation.