‘Plot graft’: Court starts hearing testimony against Hasina, children
NN Online:
A Dhaka court has begun recording witness testimony in one of three corruption cases against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her children over alleged irregularities in the Purbachal New Town Project.
On Monday, complainant and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Salahuddin testified before Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of the Fifth Special Judge’s Court.
ACC prosecutor Muhammad Sultan Mahmud said the three cases involve separate groups of accused. Hasina is charged with 11 others in one case, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and 16 others in another, and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul with 17 others in the third. Warrants have been issued for their arrests as they remain absconding. The trial is proceeding in absentia, leaving no scope for cross-examination, he added.
On July 31, two special judge’s courts indicted Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and 23 others — including their children — in six graft cases linked to the Purbachal project. Judge Mamun set Aug 11 for hearings against Hasina, Joy, and Putul, while Judge Rabiul Alam scheduled Aug 13 for testimony against Rehana, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti in three other cases.
The 23 other defendants include former Public Works Department secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, ex-RAJUK chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, several RAJUK officials, a retired army major, former state minister Sharif Ahmed, and the former prime minister’s private secretary Mohammad Salah Uddin.
Hasina fled to India following her ouster in a student-led uprising on Aug 5, 2024. Her family members are also abroad.
The ACC launched its probe in December into the alleged illegal allocation of six 10-katha plots (about 0.167 acres each) to Sheikh family members. The first case, against Putul, was filed on Jan 12, followed by cases against Rehana and her children the next day. On Jan 14, two more cases were lodged against Hasina and Joy.
Investigators allege Hasina used her position as head of government to secure plots for herself and her relatives despite their ineligibility, violating allocation rules and abusing state authority.