Purbachal plot scam: 3 more testify on fifth day in cases against Hasina, family
The witnesses are the officials of Sonali Bank
Three more witnesses have testified on the fifth day of trials against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, and several others, in three separate cases filed over alleged corruption in plot allocations by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
The testimonies were recorded today (6 October) before Judge Md Robiul Alam of the Dhaka Special Judge's Court-4.
As the accused remains absconding, the defence could not cross-examine the witnesses. After recording their depositions, the court fixed 16 October for the next hearing.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The witnesses are Goutam Kumar Shikder, Shariful Islam, and Riad Mahmud.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan (Lipon) confirmed the matter, saying the witnesses were officials of Sonali Bank.
"They presented payment records related to plot allocation in the Purbachal New Town Project, showing deposits made through Sonali Bank pay orders," he said.
Earlier on 31 July, the court framed charges and ordered the start of trials in the cases. As the accused were absconding during the indictment hearing, arrest warrants were issued against them.
In the three separate cases, 17 people, including Sheikh Rehana, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Sheikh Hasina were named as accused in one case; 18 people, including Azmyna Siddiq Ruponti, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and Sheikh Hasina in another; and 18 people, including Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and Sheikh Hasina in the third.
In January this year, the ACC filed six separate cases over alleged irregularities in Rajuk's plot allocation process.
Those accused include Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed (Putul), sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana's children Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Azmyna Siddiq, among others.
