Twelve individuals, including former senior officials, have been charged in connection with an alleged scheme to secure land plots through forged documents under the government’s Binveriya housing initiative.
Among those charged is Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, former Deputy Managing Director of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). The Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed that cases have now been filed in court against individuals accused of submitting fraudulent paperwork to claim land they were not eligible to receive.
The Binveriya scheme was designed to provide land to qualified applicants. However, authorities allege that some individuals attempted to bypass the eligibility criteria by presenting fabricated agreements and registry documents.
Fraud Allegations Against Former MWSC Official
Fazeel has been charged with knowingly submitting forged documentation. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, he is one of nine individuals accused of presenting falsified agreements and land registry papers to show that they had been allocated plots under the scheme.
Prosecutors allege that the documents were used not only to claim ownership but also to obtain official permission to construct boundary walls on the plots in question.
If found guilty, those facing this charge could receive a prison sentence of one year, seven months, and six days.
The other individuals charged alongside Fazeel are:
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Maryam Saaee – Hazaarumaage, S. Hithadhoo
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Eema Waheed – Dil, Doodigan, Gn. Fuvahmulah
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Aishath Mauroofa – Male’ Register No. RS 9044
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Mohamed Adam – Flat No. 02-G-46, Hulhumalé
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Abdul Majeed Mahir – Jameela, Ha. Dhidhdhoo
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Hussain Zahir Zain – M. West Coast, Malé
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Ashhad Ali – Falhumatheege, M. Malé
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Ahmed Ali – Falhumatheege, M. Malé
Additional Charges for Document Fabrication
Beyond those accused of submitting forged documents, three more individuals face separate charges linked to the alleged creation of fraudulent paperwork.
Ahmed Ateeg Abdullah of G. Poolbaharuaage is accused of producing falsified registry documents and agreements after being involved in processing public applications for land in Hulhumalé and Gulhifalhu under the Binveriya scheme.
Ahmed Mazin of Daisymaage, N. Velidhoo, is also charged with creating forged registry documents and agreements to falsely demonstrate land ownership under the same initiative.
Both men face the same maximum sentence of one year, seven months, and six days if convicted.
Meanwhile, Arushad Ali of M. Falhumathege has been charged with participating in the production of fraudulent documents. Prosecutors allege that he collaborated with Ahmed Mazin, who was working on matters related to the Binveriya scheme, in preparing the disputed registry papers and agreements.
Investigation Into HDC Leadership
Police also investigated allegations involving Fazul Rasheed, who was serving as Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) at the time and is Fazeel’s brother.
He was accused of deleting documents from HDC servers in a manner that allegedly made them unrecoverable. However, after reviewing the case, the Prosecutor General’s Office determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges.
Despite not being prosecuted, Fazul later stepped down from his position amid public scrutiny and criticism related to the matter.
Growing Scrutiny Over Land Allocation
The case has drawn renewed attention to transparency and oversight in land distribution projects, particularly those as significant as the Binveriya scheme. With land ownership in high demand and limited supply, even minor irregularities can quickly escalate into major public concern.
As the cases move forward in court, many will be watching closely. The outcome could set an important precedent for accountability in housing initiatives and public land allocation in the Maldives.
