Nasheed calls for thorough probe into land scandal
The police and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are conducting a criminal investigation into the matter
Former President Mohamed Nasheed said on Monday that he expects the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of unfair land allocation in Hulhumale and that the newly appointed Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Mohamed Mauroof Jameel, will address the issues at the corporation.
The case involves allegations of selling land in Hulhumale at low prices, allocating land to individuals not on the approved list of Binveriya scheme, and irregularities in the distribution of winners' flats.
Former HDC Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed resigned on Saturday after being suspended. Several other board members were also suspended, and multiple employees were dismissed.
Police have seized the passports of 20 individuals, including Fazul, as part of the ongoing investigation.
In a post on X, Nasheed alleged that land lists were manipulated to allocate land unfairly. He noted that while such practices had occurred in the past, the current investigation and leadership changes at HDC mark a shift in addressing these issues.
"This time, another corner of the injustice has been uncovered. However, the case is now being investigated, and the leadership at HDC has been changed. I hope the police will conduct a proper investigation and that Mauroof Jameel will correct things," Nasheed said.
Mauroof Jameel, appointed as HDC’s Managing Director on Sunday, previously played a key role in the dredging of Hulhumale before the establishment of HDC. His appointment follows the resignation of Fazul amid investigations into fraudulent transactions in the allocation of land and flats.
The police and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are conducting a criminal investigation into the matter under the directive of Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef.
