Dhaka: Two separate courts today framed charges against 100 individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with irregularities in the allocation of plots in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project. The charges span six different cases, implicating several high-profile figures.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three of the cases. The first case involves 17 people, among them Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana. The second case includes 18 individuals, such as Sheikh Hasina and Azmina Siddiq, while the third case lists Sheikh Hasina and Radwan Mujib Siddiq among the accused. The court has set August 13 as the date for beginning the recording of testimonies and has issued arrest warrants for those accused.
In a parallel development, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in three additional cases. One case involves 12 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina. Another case names 17 people, including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and the third case lists 18 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul. Arrest warrants have been issued as the accused have not appeared in court. Testimonies in these cases are scheduled to be recorded starting August 11, as informed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam.
The cases were forwarded to the Special Judge Court by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib on July 20, as they were deemed ready for trial. This decision followed the accused's failure to appear in court despite being summoned. Previously, on July 1, the court ordered the publication of a gazette notification summoning the 100 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and her family members.
The ACC initiated the six cases between January 12 and January 14, 2025. Charge sheets were filed on March 10 by the respective investigation officers. ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed a case on January 14 against eight individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, for allegedly abusing power in the allocation of a 10-katha plot in the Purbachal New Town Project. ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya later submitted a charge sheet against 12 accused in this matter.
Another case was filed by ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan against 15 people, including Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, on the same day. A charge sheet involving 17 accused was submitted on March 10. Additional cases were filed by ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin on January 13 against 15 individuals, including members of Sheikh Hasina's family, on charges of power abuse to obtain plots from RAJUK. Charge sheets were later submitted against 17 and 18 accused, respectively, in these cases.
Lastly, ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya filed a case on January 12 against 16 people, including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul, resulting in a charge sheet against 18 individuals.