Rajuk plot scam: Four testify against Hasina, family on day four of witness testimony

Four witnesses testified today (21 September) in three separate corruption cases against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her children, and other former government officials over alleged irregularities in plot allocations by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

The testimonies were given in the court of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4, presided over by Judge Md Rabiul Alam, confirmed Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan (Lipon).

However, as the accused remain absconding, the witnesses could not be cross-examined.

After recording their statements, the court set 6 October as the next date for testimony.

The witnesses were Eastern Housing Limited Executive General Manager Mohammad Farhaduzzaman, Operator Sheikh Shamsher Ali, Assistant Executive Member Himel Chandra Das, and Ministry of Housing and Public Works Administrative Officer Akhter Jahan.

The ACC filed six cases in January over alleged irregularities in plot allocations. The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court later transferred the cases to the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 and Court-5 for trial.

On 31 July, the court framed charges and ordered the trials to begin. Arrest warrants were issued the same day for the accused, who were later declared fugitives.

In three of the cases, the charges involve 17 people including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana and her daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq; 18 people including Sheikh Hasina, Azmina Siddique Ruponti and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby; and 18 people including Sheikh Hasina and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, respectively.

Other defendants include Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby; Shahid Ullah Khandker, former secretary of the National Housing and Public Works Ministry; Qazi Wasi Uddin, former additional secretary (administration); Saiful Islam Sarkar, former administrative officer; and Purabi Goldar, former senior assistant secretary.

The cases also name Anisur Rahman Mia, former Rajuk chairman; Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former member (estate and land); Kabir Al Asad, member (administration and finance); Tanmoy Das, member (development control); Nurul Islam, member (estate and land); Mohammad Nasir Uddin, former member (planning); Shamsuddin Ahmad Chowdhury, former member; Sheikh Shahinul Islam, director (estate and land-2); Hafizur Rahman, deputy director; Habibur Rahman; Sharif Ahmed, former state minister; and Salauddin, former private secretary to the prime minister.