Dhaka: Five new witnesses today testified in three ongoing cases against 47 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, regarding alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the witnesses included Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) directors Tanjilur Rahman and Al Mamun Miah, typist Zakir Hossain, and Kaliganj sub-registrars Mahmudur Rahman and Zajidur Rahman. Their testimonies were heard at Dhaka Special Judge Court-5, presided over by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, who subsequently adjourned the hearing until October 29.
The five witnesses first provided testimonies in the case involving 12 accused, including Sheikh Hasina. They further testified in another case against 18 individuals, involving Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul. Additionally, RAJUK director Al Mamun Miah and typist Zakir Hossain testified in a separate case against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy, as stated by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Ali.
On July 31, Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in these three cases and issued arrest warrants against the accused. Simultaneously, Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three other identical cases related to the same issues. Prior to this, on July 20, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib had forwarded the cases to trial courts, citing non-compliance by the accused with court orders.
On July 1, the court had issued a gazette notification summoning 100 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, and Sajeeb Wazed Joy. The ACC had initially filed six cases between January 12 and 14, 2025, with charge sheets submitted on March 10.
According to case details, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed a case on January 14 against eight individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, regarding a 10-katha Purbachal plot, ultimately naming 12 in the charge sheet. On the same day, ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan filed another case against 15 individuals, including Hasina and Joy, with the charge sheet naming 17. On January 13, Salahuddin filed a further case against 15 individuals, including Hasina, Rehana, Radwan Mujib, Tulip Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq, with a charge sheet naming 17. Another case filed that day accused 16 individuals, including Hasina, Tulip, and Azmina, with a charge sheet naming 18. An additional case was filed against Radwan Mujib and 15 others, with the charge sheet naming 18. On January 12, ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya filed a case against 16 individuals, including Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul, with a charge sheet naming 18.