Desk Report:
Nine more people testified on the fifth day in three separate cases filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members on charges of corruption in the allocation of three plots in the Purbachal New City project. They testified before Special Judge-5 in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Those who testified are: Mohammad Ujjal Hossain, a motor cleaner at the office of the Chief Advisor, Zahidur Rahman, a sub-registrar at Kaliganj in Gazipur, Mahbubur Rahman, a sub-registrar at the Gazipur Sadar Record Room, M Mezbahur Rahman, a former Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate, Tayyaba Rahim, a senior assistant-cum-accountant at the Dhaka South City Corporation, Kamrunnahar, a typist at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah, Md. Rafiqul Islam, an administrative officer at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and Mukti Tarafdar, a computer operator at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
After taking the testimony, Judge Md. Abdullah Al Mamun set the next 15 days for taking the testimony. ACC Special PP Mir Ahmed Ali Salam confirmed the matter.
Earlier, 5 people testified in these three cases on September 17, 5 people on September 2, and 7 people on August 26. The three plaintiffs in the case testified on August 11. Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul are accused in these three cases.
Of the three cases, there are 12 accused including Sheikh Hasina in one case, 17 including Sajeeb Wazed Joy in another case, and 18 including Saima Wazed Putul in the other case. However, Sheikh Hasina and some RAJUK officials are accused in each case. Since they are absconding, the testimony is being taken in their absence.
On July 31, the same court framed charges against Sheikh Hasina and others in these three cases and ordered the start of the trial.
The case alleges that Sheikh Hasina and her family abused the power vested in them while holding the highest positions in the government. Despite not being eligible for the allocation, they were allotted six plots on Road No. 203, Sector No. 27 of the Purbachal Housing Project for dishonest purposes. The accused have been charged under Sections 161/163/164/409/109 of the Penal Code, 1860, as well as Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Earlier, on December 26, the ACC began investigating allegations of irregularities and corruption in the allocation of six plots in the Purbachal New Town Project in the name of Sheikh Hasina and her family members.
During the investigation, the ACC learned that plots in the area around Road No. 203 of the diplomatic zone of Sector No. 27 of the Purbachal New City Project have been allotted in the names of Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, younger sister Sheikh Rehana and her sons and daughters Radwan Mujib Siddique and Azmina Siddique. Out of this, Sheikh Hasina has been allotted a 10-katha plot (plot number 009). On August 3, 2022, RAJUK issued a plot allotment letter in her name. Sajeeb Wazed Joy (plot number 015) and daughter Saima Wazed Putul (plot number 017) also received plots of 10 katha each. Joy’s allotment letter was issued on October 24, 2022 and the ownership registry was completed on November 10. Putul’s allotment letter was issued on November 2 of that year.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed these cases on January 12, 13 and 14. The ACC filed charge sheets in six cases on March 25.
The charge sheet names 28 accused, including Sheikh Hasina and her family members. Arrest warrants have already been issued against each of them. The remaining three cases against Sheikh Hasina and others are being heard at Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court-4.
