Rajuk plot scam: Affidavits showed Rehana, Tulip, Azmina as 'destitute', witnesses say
Today, three senior Rajuk officials testified in three separate cases filed against Sheikh Rehana, Tulip and Azmina, among others, before Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4
Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's sister Sheikh Rehana, her daughters Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti falsely claimed in official affidavits that they were landless, homeless, and financially vulnerable in order to obtain government plots, testimony of three Rajuk officials revealed today (28 August).
Investigators allege that the accused already owned multiple properties both within and outside Dhaka, but they concealed it during the plot allocation by the Rajuk.
Today, three senior Rajuk officials testified in three separate cases filed against Sheikh Rehana, Tulip and Azmina, among others, before Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-4.
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The witnesses — Rajuk Deputy Director for Estate and Land Md Mahbubar Rahman and Assistant Directors Asim Shil and Ullash Chowdhury — each provided testimony in the three cases. Their statements were recorded at the court.
Rehana, Tulip and Azmina submitted separate affidavits during their application process for government plots. Their affidavits included false declarations, denying any ownership of land, houses, or other property in Dhaka or Narayanganj, said Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Md Moinul Hasan Lipon.
As part of the investigation, documents related to the controversial plot allocations have been seized. Three officials, who had taken official custody of these documents, testified on behalf of Rajuk. Among the seized materials were 44 items, including personal biodata and supporting documents, all of which allegedly contain misleading or fabricated information.
The court scheduled the next hearing for 4 September.
As the accused are currently absconding, no lawyers are appearing on their behalf at the courtroom. As a result, there is no need for cross-examination of the witnesses.
On 31 July, the court formally framed charges and ordered the start of trials in the cases. As the accused were absconding during the charge-framing hearings, arrest warrants were issued against them.
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.
