ACC launches urgent probe into forged land allocations
The ACC, in response to the order, confirmed their collaboration with the police to carry out an extensive and swift investigation.
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Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday initiated an urgent investigation into the Binveriya and Gedhoruveriya landlord and flat allocation schemes implemented by the previous government.
The probe comes following allegations of irregularities in the allocation process.
Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef directed the Maldives Police Service and ACC to investigate the schemes after two individuals submitted invalid documents to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), claiming entitlement to land under the scheme. Exercising his constitutional authority, the Prosecutor General issued the following directives:
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Investigate the acceptance of application forms, the determination of recipients for flats and land, and the allocation process.
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If criminal activity is identified, ensure the matter is submitted to the Prosecutor General’s Office for prosecution.
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Provide weekly updates on the investigation’s progress and expedite the process.
The ACC, in response to the order, confirmed their collaboration with the police to carry out an extensive and swift investigation. In a statement released last night, the Commission noted:
“Following the Prosecutor General's order to the Maldives Police Service and the Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct a criminal investigation into the Binveriya and Gedhoruveriya scheme, the Commission is conducting an expeditious investigation in consultation with the Maldives Police Service.”
A joint meeting between ACC and police officials was held earlier today to discuss the investigation, with both parties reportedly engaging in extensive deliberations to strategise the probe.
The ACC had previously scrutinized the list of recipients for flats under the Gedhoru Veriyaa scheme. Their findings revealed that approximately 60% of the individuals included in the list prepared by the previous administration did not meet the eligibility criteria. The ACC subsequently handed over their findings to the Housing Ministry for further revision.
The latest investigation raises further questions about the integrity of the allocation processes for these housing schemes, which were initially designed to provide affordable housing and land ownership opportunities for citizens.
