RAJUK plot scandal: Ex-official flees after surrendering in court

Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former member (State and Land) of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) (RAJUK), has gone into hiding despite filing a surrender petition in court. Alam faces charges in three cases over alleged misuse of power to obtain government plots in the Purbachal New Town project.

The hearing for witness testimony in the case was scheduled Wednesday at Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5, presided over by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun. Alam submitted a bail application through his lawyer after surrendering, but he reportedly fled the court premises before the judge entered the courtroom, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecution branch.

The ACC filed six separate cases in January concerning plot allocation corruption. The cases include high-profile figures such as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her children Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s daughter and British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and daughter Azmina Siddiq, among others. Charge sheets have been submitted in all cases.

On July 31, Judge Al Mamun of Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in three of these cases: one involving 12 accused, another 17, and a third 18, all including Sheikh Hasina. In the remaining three cases, Judge Md. Robiul Alam of Special Judge Court-4 framed charges against 17–18 accused in each, including Sheikh Hasina and other family members. Arrest warrants have been issued as several accused remain absconding.

According to the allegations, the former Prime Minister and her family misused their authority while in office, acquiring plots of 10 kathas each in Sector 27 of the Purbachal Housing Project despite being ineligible.