Dhaka: The Plaintiffs of three cases filed against 47 individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, concerning irregularities in the allocation of plots in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project, have testified today. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Salahuddin, along with Assistant Directors Afnan Jannat Keya and SM Rashedul Hasan, who are the Plaintiffs in these cases, presented their depositions at Dhaka Special Judge Court-5.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun concluded today's proceedings by adjourning the hearing of the three cases until August 26. Earlier, on July 31, the court had framed charges against the accused and issued arrest warrants, as they are still at large. Concurrently, Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 had also framed charges in three other related cases, scheduling August 13 for recording testimonies and issuing arrest warrants for the accused.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib had previously forwarded the matters to the Special Judge Court on July 20, as the cases were deemed ready for trial. This order was necessitated by the accused's non-compliance with court appearances despite previous summonses. A gazette notification was issued on July 1, summoning 100 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and her family members, regarding the allegations.
The ACC initiated the six cases between January 12 and January 14, 2025, with charge sheets filed on March 10. ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed a case on January 14 against eight individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, for alleged abuse of power in the allocation of a 10-katha plot. Afnan Jannat Keya, as the investigation officer, filed a charge sheet against 12 individuals.
Additionally, ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan filed a case involving 15 people, including Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, submitting a charge sheet against 17. Md Salahuddin filed another case on January 13 against 15 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and her children, with a charge sheet later submitted against 17.
The ACC also filed cases against other family members and associates, with each case resulting in charge sheets against multiple accused, as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of power in the plot allocations.