Dhaka: A court here today issued an arrest warrant against 18 individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed, in a case involving the fraudulent acquisition of a 10-katha plot in the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Purbachal New Town Project. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order after accepting the formal charge filed in the case.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated the case on January 12, 2025, against 16 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul. The charge-sheet was submitted on March 10, with two additional names, bringing the total number of accused to 18. The court has set May 4 for the submission of the probe report in the case, as informed by ACC public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam.
The other individuals accused in the case include Ministry of Housing and Public Works administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar, senior assistant secretary Purobi Goldar, additional secretary Qazi Wasi Uddin, secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker, former Rajuk chairman's personal assistant Md Anisur Rahman Miah, former Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, and several others associated with the RAJUK and the former government.
The charge-sheet, filed by Anti-Corruption Commission assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya, alleges that Saima Wazed Putul, with wrongful intentions, unlawfully influenced her mother, Sheikh Hasina, to file an application directly to her rather than following the legal procedures set by RAJUK. This action was reportedly in violation of existing laws, rules, and policies regarding the allocation of plots in the Purbachal New City Housing Project. It was noted that Saima Wazed and her family already owned a house or flat in the area governed by RAJUK in Dhaka city.