HDC MD labels brother’s involvement as ‘coincidence’, denies conflict of interest

Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, the managing director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), dismissed the implication of his brother in a case involving alleged corruption by the corporation in the award of land plots under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme on Wednesday, as he insisted that the situation does not pose a conflict of interest.

The final recipients list publicized by the former government had the name of Fazul's brother among those who were ineligible under the Binveriya Scheme. The list cited his reason for disqualification was being an awardee of a previous social housing scheme.

Despite this, 'Sun' Online has received a document which is an agreement made with Fazeel towards awarding a plot from Hulhumale' under the Binveriya Scheme.

In response to this, the HDC Managing Director at Wednesday evening's press conference said that although his brother's name was among the recipients' list, the eligibility would be eventually decided by the Ministry of Housing.

He continued to reiterated that issuance of plots and registries or signing agreements with landowners did not fall under the purview of HDC.

"My brother's name [in the case] is a coincidence, it is not related to any issue of mine," Fazul said.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) while making serious allegations of fraud on the part of HDC, has demanded awarding Binveriya plots to their rightful recipients.