HDC submits Binveriya scheme cases to Police

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has conducted an audit of the land plots issued under the Binveriya housing scheme, and forwarded cases where issues were identified to Police for further investigation.

In a statement released by HDC today, they said that while they are receiving applications for permit to build on the land plots, more than one application have been received for some of the plots.

With this having come to their notice, they are now looking into the matter further and taking appropriate measures, the company said.

HDC said that a special audit of the Binveriya scheme has also been conducted. With some issues having come to light through the audit, the cases have now been forwarded to police for further investigation, they said.

HDC assured that they would continue to look into such matters and take appropriate action in future as well.

The issue of multiple persons applying for building permits for the same land first arose last December. Photos were circulated then of boundary walls being built on a plot of land allegedly by Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the brother of then HDC Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed after the Housing Ministry had notified HDC than Fazeel had not been granted land under the Binveriya scheme.

While this issue was under investigation, Fazul handed in his resignation. At the time, members of HDC's Board were also suspended in relation to the case.

With allegations being raised then against HDC of granting land to those not on the Binveriya list of recipients, HDC responded that in some cases, forged documents had been submitted.

Last November, Housing Ministry handed over the land plots in Hulhumale' to Binveriya recipients and tasked HDC with laying boundary markers. Boundary walls of the lands can be built by the owners only after seeking permits from HDC.

The Anti Corruption Commission, too, is looking into allegations of land being awarded to those not on the Binveriya housing scheme list of recipients.