Purbachal plot scam: 13 more witnesses testify against Hasina, Rehana, Tulip, Azmina, others
The court set 16, 23 and 25 November for the cross-examination of the investigation officers and complainants in the cases
A Dhaka court has recorded statements from 13 more witnesses in three separate corruption cases filed over alleged irregularities in plot allocations under the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
The cases involve ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana's daughters Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, among others.
The testimonies were recorded today (9 November) at the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 of Judge Md Rabiul Alam. The court also set 16, 23 and 25 November for the cross-examination of the investigation officers and complainants in the cases.
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During the hearing, Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former Rajuk member (Estate and Land) – the only accused currently in custody – was produced before the court from jail, and the witnesses gave their statements in his presence.
With today's proceedings, the court has so far recorded testimonies from 37 witnesses in the three cases, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Md Tariqul Islam confirmed.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Md Shahinul Islam filed a bail petition for ex-Rajuk member Khurshid Alam. After the hearing, the court rejected his bail plea.
Earlier, on 31 July, the court framed charges and ordered the trial to begin. Arrest warrants were issued for the accused who were absent during the charge hearing.
A total of 17 individuals, including Sheikh Rehana, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, and Sheikh Hasina, have been named as accused in one case. In the second case, 18 individuals, including Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and Sheikh Hasina, were named as accused. In the third case, another 18 individuals, including Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and Sheikh Hasina, have been listed as accused.
Other accused include former housing and public works secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker; Additional Secretary (Administration) Kazi Wasi Uddin; Administrative Officer Saiful Islam Sarkar; Senior Assistant Secretary Purbi Goldar; former Rajuk chairman Anisur Rahman Miah; and several current and former Rajuk members and officials.
Former state minister Sharif Ahmed and the former prime minister's former personal secretary Salauddin have also been named.
In January this year, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed six separate cases, accusing the individuals of abuse of power and irregularities in the allocation of government plots under the Purbachal New Town Project.
