NN ONLINE:
Six witnesses are scheduled to testify today (2 September) in three separate corruption cases against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and others over alleged irregularities in Rajuk plot allocations. Testimony starts today with six witnesses in three Rajuk plot-allocation corruption cases involving Sheikh Hasina, Joy, Putul, and others, before Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No 5, presided by Md Abdullah Al Mamun.
Cross-examination is not possible because the accused remain at large. ACC Prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan (Lipon) confirmed that summonses have been sent to six witnesses: Goutam Kumar Shikder and Md Shariful Islam, senior principal officers at Sonali Bank’s Ganabhaban branch; Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, chief assistant of the Tax Circle; Md Rezaul Haque, computer operator of the Tax Circle; Md Abu Taher, notice server of the Tax Circle; and Delwar Hossain, office assistant.
The ACC filed six cases in January alleging irregularities in Rajuk plot allotments. The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court transferred these cases to Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 and Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 for trial. On July 31, charges were framed and trials ordered to begin; arrest warrants were issued and the accused declared fugitives.
In three cases, charges involve 12 individuals including Sheikh Hasina; 17 including Sajeeb Wazed Joy; and 18 including Saima Wazed Putul. Other named accused include Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana’s daughters Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq Rumpunti; her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby; former housing secretary Shahid Ullah Khandker; former additional secretary (administration) Kazi Wasiuddin; and former Rajuk chairman Anisur Rahman Miah, among others.
According to ACC documents, Hasina allegedly colluded with senior Rajuk officials to unlawfully secure six 10-katha residential plots in the diplomatic zone of Sector-27, Purbachal New Town.
