Witness accounts: How Hasina, Joy, Putul abused authority in obtaining Purbachal plots
Rajuk's Regulation 9 requires an affidavit stating that the applicant and their immediate family members do not own plots in Dhaka or Narayanganj
Despite already owning houses and plots in Gulshan and Dhanmondi, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul obtained Rajuk plots in Purbachal by abusing power and violating regulations.
According to the testimony of six witnesses, including three NBR officials, they had applied for allocation by submitting false affidavits despite owning multiple plots.
These witnesses gave their depositions before Judge Md Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka's Fifth Special Judge Court in three separate ACC cases on 2 September. As the accused remain absconding, the defence could not cross-examine the witnesses.
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ACC Prosecutor SM Abul Kalam Azad said, "The tax records clearly show that Putul owned property on her father's land. This information had been submitted in her tax returns. Despite having plots in Gulshan and Dhanmondi, she secured a Purbachal plot in violation of Rajuk rules. There is no provision to obtain a Rajuk plot by breaching these rules.
"The former prime minister's daughter abused her authority. The tax files clearly state that they owned houses in Dhaka, but the affidavits contained false claims to obtain new plots. These documents are sufficient to prove the case."
Azad added, "The accused made pay orders through banks for the allocations, that evidence is also there. Despite already owning properties, they abused power and obtained the Purbachal plots illegally."
Rajuk's Regulation 9 requires an affidavit stating that the applicant and their immediate family members do not own plots in Dhaka or Narayanganj. Sheikh Hasina and her son and daughter submitted such false affidavits, declaring that they and their relatives had no plots in Rajuk's jurisdiction, according to the ACC prosecutor.
The witnesses were Gautam Kumar Sikder, senior principal officer at Sonali Bank's Ganobhaban branch; Md Shariful Islam, principal officer at Sonali Bank's Ganobhaban branch; Mohammad Lutfar Rahman, senior assistant at the Tax Circle; Md Rezaul Haque, computer operator at the Tax Circle; Md Abu Taher, notice server at the Tax Circle; and office assistant Delwar Hossain.
Earlier, on 31 July, the court framed charges and ordered the trials to begin. As the accused were absconding at the time of charge framing, arrest warrants were issued against them.
In three separate cases, 18 individuals including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana and her daughters former British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmima Siddiq, and son Radwan Mujib Siddiq were made accused.
Back in January, the ACC filed six separate cases over allegations of corruption in plot allocation involving the same individuals.
