K-Park case: defendants allowed to appoint lawyer

The defendants in the case of fraud in the sale of apartments from a condo being developed in Hulhumalé known as K-Park Residences, have been given the opportunity to appoint legal representation.

Hassan ‘Manday’ Mamdhooh and his acquaintance Jaishan Saeed face charges in connection with the case.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) raided the apartment of Mamdhooh, who is facing several allegations of fraud, using forged documents under the name of Hanbo Maldives to sell apartments and embezzle money.

Mandey is the local shareholder of the company and has been slapped with 104 charges so far. Jaishan, who is also implicated in the case, faces 97 charges. The charges were filed at the Criminal Court on 12 December 2023.

During a hearing held on Tuesday, Judge Ali Nadheem had confirmed whether the documents related to the case, was received.

The presiding judge also requested to notify the court if any documents linked to the case are missing.

Both defendants were inquired whether they require legal representation, to which they responded by confirming that they want to appoint a lawyer by themselves.

The judge gave them a period of 10 days to appoint a lawyer.

If the defendants fail to bring their lawyers to the next hearing, the trial will proceed without legal representation for the accused.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) in December 2023 completed its investigation into allegations of fraud in the sale of apartments in K-Park Residences being developed by Hanbo Company Private Limited in Hulhumalé.

51 victims have been identified in the fraud case.

Charges were filed against the suspect for deliberately providing a forged document in order to mislead a person, signed under the name of Jin Shihu, a 95 percent shareholder of Hanbo Company Pvt. Ltd, who had not authorized it and was not aware such an interaction was being made.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) revealed that the chargesheet includes charges in connection with the sale of a total of 23 apartments at K-Park Residences.

The 23 apartments were allegedly sold to more than 50 people, with more than six people to have bought a single apartment.

PG Office revealed that the further issues linked to the scheme are being investigated by the police institution, presently.

Charges of money laundering and aiding in money laundering were filed on charges of aiding and abetting money laundering by various individuals for the purchase of apartments, in different ways, by depositing cash and combining it with the money deposited in the account.

In view of the 201 charges filed so far, the victims have also sought compensation.