Witnesses examined in Rajuk plot misallocation case against Sheikh Hasina and Joy; none held in Putul’s case

Witness examination was held today (3 November) in separate cases filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy over allegations of corruption in plot allocations by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

However, no testimony was recorded in the case against Sheikh Hasina's daughter, Saima Wazed Putul. The proceedings took place at the Dhaka 5th Special Judge Court, presided over by Judge Md Abdullah Al Mamun.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the cases in January this year, alleging irregularities in Rajuk plot allocations. The accused include Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Saima Wazed Putul, Sheikh Rehana, Rehana's daughter and British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and another daughter, Azmina Siddiq, among others.

The allegations claim that Sheikh Hasina and her family misused the powers of the highest office while in government. Despite not being eligible, they were allegedly allocated six plots on Road No. 203, Sector 27 of the Purbachal Housing Project for improper purposes.

According to ACC prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan, in Sheikh Hasina's case, the lawyer of former Rajuk member (Estate and Land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam partially cross-examined the investigation officer. In Joy's case, the court recorded the statement of the investigation officer. 

No witness was examined in Putul's case, and the next hearing has been scheduled for 6 November. Earlier, on 31 July, the court had framed charges and ordered the start of trials in six separate cases against Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana and their family members.