3 witnesses testify in Purbachal plot scam cases against Hasina, Tulip

Three prosecution witnesses on Thursday testified in three graft cases involving 23 accused persons, including Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and British MP Tulip Siddiq.

The witnesses — Rajuk officials Mahbubar Rahman, Ashim Shil, and Ullas Chowdhury — gave their statements before Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge’s Court-4 in Dhaka from 11:30 am to 11:35 am, according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam.

Hasina and Tulip Siddiq are named as common accused in all three cases. After the testimonies, the court scheduled the next hearings for September 4.

Earlier, on August 13, complainants Deputy Director of the ACC Md Salahuddin and Assistant Directors Afnan Jannat Keya and SM Rashadul Hasan testified before the court.

The ACC lodged six cases in January over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Purbachal New Town project. The commission alleges that Hasina, along with senior Rajuk officials, unlawfully secured six plots in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27 for herself, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, sister Sheikh Rehana, and her children Radwan and Azmina despite being ineligible.

Charge sheets were filed on March 25, naming Hasina as a common accused in all six cases. The ACC has listed all accused as fugitives.

Arrest warrants were issued in April against Hasina, Rehana, Joy, Putul, Azmina, Radwan, Tulip Siddiq, and others. On July 1, the court ordered gazette notifications summoning 29 individuals to appear. Charges were framed against the accused on July 31.