The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) reports that 50 percent of tenants in Hulhumale' are late on their rent.

On October 11th, Sun lodged a request under the Right to Information Act, asking for information regarding the total number of flats overseen by HDC in Hulhumalé and the percentage of tenants who reliably pay their rent. Sun also requested the complete overdue rent amount as of that date and the explanations provided by tenants for not making payments.

In its reply on Monday, HDC specified that it oversees 10,077 flats in Hulhumalé, with around 50 percent of these units consistently paying rent.

The Corporation chose not to reveal the specific sum of unpaid rent accumulated by August 11. HDC referenced Section 25(a) of the Right to Information Act to justify the retention of this information.

The mentioned provision indicates that information can be kept secret if it was acquired through a confidentiality agreement, including trade secrets, or if revealing it would negatively affect the commercial or financial interests of another party.

Additionally, HDC mentioned that it does not keep records concerning the particular reasons why tenants typically do not pay rent.

Although HDC's current position differs, the company had earlier provided similar information to Sun on May 27 last year. At that time, HDC stated it was managing 8,511 units from which rent was collected.

The data showed that 3,219 social housing units were paying rent on time, whereas 5,099 units were listed as delinquent. HDC revealed that as of February 28 of the same year, the company was due MVR 728 million in unpaid rent from social housing units.

According to the typical social housing contracts, HDC maintains the right to reclaim apartments if rent is not regularly paid.

The court has ordered the remand of Solih, Mishal, Najumullah, and Nooh in custody for a duration of five days. Maisan and Azim will be detained for 15 days, whereas Sanij has been sentenced to 30 days in custody.

The court ruled that Ifthisham and Huzam should be detained in custody for 90 days.

Authorities also verified that a dedicated investigation unit from the Male' headquarters has now arrived on the island, where they are still probing the case.

Authorities stated that they are now aware of instances of sexual exploitation involving minors and guaranteed that they are treating these as serious offenses under investigation.