Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has fired 15 employees to aid an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in a housing scheme under the previous government. The investigation was ordered by Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef.

An HDC official stated that the dismissals aim to ensure smooth investigations by the police and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Among those dismissed are individuals linked to former Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, who resigned yesterday while under suspension. Fazal’s passport has been seized over allegations of improper land distribution.

The changes at HDC go further, with all board members except Chairman Ahmed Nasif suspended. Senior management staff have also been affected. Additionally, the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) has suspended Fazul’s brother, Fazeel Rasheed, for related reasons.

The case has wide-reaching effects, with 20 passports, including those of Fazal’s brother and former housing ministry officials, being confiscated. This includes high-profile figures like former State Minister for Planning Akram Kamaluddin, former Director General Ahmed Vishan Naseem, and former Senior Executive Director Lirugam Waheed.

To address the leadership vacuum, Mohamed Mauroof Jameel, a former Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure, has been appointed as HDC’s new Managing Director.