All passports seized in connection with the alleged sale of land to people who did not get land under the Binveriya scheme have been released.

Police media team confirmed to Adhadhu on Tuesday night that all the seized passports have been returned.

Police said the investigation was ongoing, but did not clarify why the passports were handed over.

Twenty passports were seized under a court order in connection with the case.

They include former Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, his brother Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, HDC board members and Deputy Housing Minister Azuhar Abdullah Saeed (Azhart) and some current and former political appointees of the ministry.

Nine of the passports were released on December 30, while the remaining 11 passports were released recently.

Police earlier said the first nine passports were released in consultation with the Prosecutor General's (PG) office.

Fazul resigned as HDC MD after the investigation was launched late last year. Police raided his home and summoned him for a statement.

MVR 1.4 million in cash was seized from Fazul's house during the raid. However, police returned the money to him last month before completing the investigation.