20 passports have been confiscated in connection with the ‘Binveriyaa’ scheme land theft.

On Friday, Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that travel bans have been issued for 20 individuals in relation to the ongoing investigation into the ‘Binveriyaa’ scheme case.

Among them are Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed and his elder brother, Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC)'s Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed. MPS did not disclose any further details.

While the case is being investigated as a criminal matter, numerous allegations have been made against Fazul. However, at a press conference held on Thursday night, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Shareef said that no allegations have been made against Fazul so far.

The scandal came to light on Wednesday, across social media platforms. Following severe criticism directed at the government, Fazul held a press conference on Wednesday night. During the presser, Fazul was unable to answer questions from journalists, and it was also evident that he lied. He was also unable to clarify how two people received the same plot of land, stating that his elder brother received the land illegally by “coincidence”. Although Fazul said the boundary wall of that plot would not be built, it has already been constructed.

Subsequently, on Thursday, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) suspended all members of HDC's Board of Directors, including MD Fazul, except for the Chairman Ahmed Nasif. His elder brother Fazeel has also been suspended and banned from the office.

In addition to this, some media outlets have reported that 10 political staff members of the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development have been suspended in connection with the scandal. However, a statement from the ministry regarding the matter has not been published yet.

At a time the police institution is probing the case, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also revealed that they are investigating the matter.