Purbachal Graft Trial: Case against Hasina, kin begins

Staff Reporter :

The trial of a corruption case involving 18 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her nieces Azmina Siddiq and British MP Tulip Siddiq, began on Wednesday at a Dhaka court with depositions from the complainant.

Afnan Jannat Keya, assistant director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the complainant, gave his statement before Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge’s Court-4 at around 12:45 pm, according to court sources.

Earlier, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin, complainant in another graft case, provided his deposition before the same judge in a separate case involving 17 accused, including Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and Tulip Siddiq. That session ran from 10:45 am to 12:15 pm.

The ACC lodged six separate cases between 12 and 14 January, alleging irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Purbachal New Town project. The commission claims that Hasina, in collusion with senior Rajuk officials, unlawfully acquired six plots – each measuring 10 kathas – in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27 for herself, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Rehana, and Rehana’s children Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and Azmina Siddiq.

Tulip Siddiq allegedly used her influence to secure plots for Rehana’s family.

On 25 March, the ACC filed six charge sheets with the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court in Dhaka, naming Hasina as a common accused in all cases. The commission has listed all accused as fugitives.

Earlier this year, on 10, 13 and 15 April, the court issued arrest warrants against Hasina, Rehana, Joy, Putul, Tulip, Azmina, and Radwan, along with others, after taking cognisance of the charges.

On 1 July, the court directed authorities to issue gazette notifications summoning 29 individuals.

Charges were formally framed against all 29 accused, includingHasina, her family members, and Tulip Siddiq, on 31 July.