Court Rejects Four Lawyers’ Bid to Represent Hasina in Pubachal Plot Scam Case

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A Dhaka court on Thursday rejected four lawyers’ request to defend deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case over alleged irregularities in obtaining Rajuk plots in Purbachal. The application, submitted to Judge Md Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 by Morshed Hossain Shahin, Imran Hossain, Sheikh Farid, and Topu, was denied because Hasina is currently absconding, according to ACC Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam.

The lawyers had asked to be appointed as Hasina’s personal counsel in court to ensure a fair trial and uphold the rule of law, stating they would bear the expenses themselves. Shahin said, “We submitted applications this morning at our own expense to be appointed as legal counsel [for Hasina]. A hearing on the matter will be held soon.”

Meanwhile, testimony continued in three separate Hasina cases, with five witnesses taking the stand. The witnesses included Delwar Hossain, an office assistant at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, a senior assistant in the Tax Circle; Md Rezaul Haque, a computer operator in the Tax Circle; and Md. Abu Taher, a notice server for the Tax Circle.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed six cases against Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and other associates over alleged irregularities in obtaining Rajuk plots. Other accused include Sheikh Rehana’s daughters Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, former housing and public works secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, and several former officials and associates. Arrest warrants have been issued for the absconding defendants, and charge sheets have recently been submitted to the court. The Hasina-related cases are being heard at Dhaka Special Judge Court-4.