The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) has suspended all board members of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), except Chairperson Ahmed Nasif, following allegations of corruption involving the issuance of land plots under the former governmentβs Binveriyaa Scheme.
A press release by PCB stated that the suspension would allow the police to investigate the corruption claims free from influence. The board will remain in suspension until the investigation is concluded.
In addition to the board, PCB also suspended HDC’s Managing Director Fazul Rasheed until further notice.
The controversy around the land plots involves Fazul’s brother, Fazeel Rasheed. Fazeel is accused of forging documents to claim a Binveriyaa plot, and seeking permission to build on the property. The second person involved in the case is an individual named Abdul Majeed Mahir. The police entered the HDC building on Wednesday to investigate the case, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also involved.
However, Fazul asserts that land plots in Hulhumale under the Binveriyaa Scheme were issued only after verifications from the Housing Ministry. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Fazul clarified that once the requests for permits regarding building the two plots in question were received by HDC, letters were sent to the Housing Ministry seeking verification. For one such letter dated 22 July, the ministry’s response was received on 15 August.
HDC clarified that the verification process was initiated as two individuals had applied for permits for the same plot, and once the verification confirmed the plot was not registered to the service applicant, the permit issued to the individual was canceled. Fazul noted the documents circulating on social media pertain to two different plots.
“Under no circumstance have we issued a land plot to anyone the Housing Ministry did not intend to issue it to,” Fazul asserted.
Fazul disclosed that the request to build plot number 20768 was received on 30 June, and 29 June for 20821. Although his brother is involved in the case, Fazul himself played no role in any misconduct involved in the case, he emphasised, noting that false rumors linking him to the case are politically motivated. Noting that his brother’s case was not referred to the police, Fazul said the HDC attempted to resolve the matter through direct communication with the Housing Ministry, and asserted that he did not prioritise personal benefit in the matter.
