Witnesses start testifying against ousted PM Hasina, family members in Purbachal plot corruption cases

Testimony recording has begun in three separate corruption cases against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots in the capital’s Purbachal New Town Project.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated these cases, and testimony commenced on Monday at Dhaka’s Special Judge's Court-5.

Tariqul Islam Tariq, public prosecutor (PP) of Anti-corruption Commission,  said three plaintiffs — ACC Assistant Directors Salauddin, SM Rashedul Hasan, and Afnan Jannat Keya — testified before Judge Abdullah Al Mamun.

On July 31, two special judges’ courts in Dhaka formally framed charges in six corruption cases filed by the ACC against Sheikh Hasina and 23 others — including close family members and former government officials — for allegedly abusing their power in the allotment of plots in the capital’s Purbachal area.

Of these six cases, Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Court-5 scheduled three for testimony on August 11, while Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Special Judge’s Court-4 set August 13 for the remaining three.

Due to the accused being absent, the courts were unable to read out the charges directly.

Notices had earlier been issued in newspapers, summoning the accused to appear in court.

In addition to Sheikh Hasina, the accused family members include her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s children — Tulip Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq, and Radwan Mujib Siddiq (Bobby).

The remaining 16 accused are former and current public officials, including Sharif Ahmed, then State Minister for Housing and Public Works; Shahid Ullah Khandaker, then Secretary of Public Works; and Anisur Rahman Mia, former RAJUK Chairman, among others.

ACC PP Khan Md Mainul Hossain said that RAJUK plot allocation rules only permit individuals without existing land, homes, or vehicles in Dhaka to apply.

However, members of Sheikh Hasina’s family allegedly submitted false affidavits claiming they owned no such assets, despite ACC investigations revealing otherwise.

According to the prosecution, the accused misused their influence to unlawfully acquire a 60-katha plot in Purbachal, constituting a criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and fraud — offenses that could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

ACC Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said that public notices were recently published, summoning the accused to appear in court.

Following this, the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court transferred the six cases to two special courts for trial.

The ACC launched its investigation on December 26, 2024, and approved the charge sheets on March 10, 2025, after concluding that plots were allocated unlawfully through collusion and administrative malpractice in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project.