On Thursday, Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4, presided over by Judge Md. Robiul Alam, recorded testimonies from RAJUK’s Deputy Director (Estate and Land) Md. Mahbubar Rahman, Assistant Directors Asim Sheel, and Ullas Chowdhury. They submitted three affidavits to the court, stating that despite owning multiple flats and properties in and around Dhaka, the accused submitted false affidavits to RAJUK. In these affidavits, they claimed to have no properties in Dhaka or Narayanganj, either in their names or those of their dependents, portraying themselves as helpless and in need of plots.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Khan Md. Moinul Hasan (Lipon) confirmed the details, stating, “The three witnesses testified in the three cases today. The next date for recording testimonies is set for September 4.” He further noted that the accused had applied for plots by falsely claiming to be homeless and helpless, submitting misleading affidavits to secure the allocations.
On July 31, the same court framed charges against the accused in these cases. One case names Sheikh Rehana, Tulip, and Sheikh Hasina among 17 defendants, another includes Azmina Siddiq, Tulip, and Sheikh Hasina among 18 defendants, and a third case lists Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Tulip, and Sheikh Hasina among 18 defendants. As the accused are currently absconding, arrest warrants have been issued against them.
In January, the ACC filed six cases over these corruption allegations. The accused include Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed, sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and daughter Azmina Siddiq, among others. The allegations state that, while holding the highest government positions, Sheikh Hasina and her family abused their power to secure 10-katha plots each in Sector 27 of the Purbachal Housing Project despite being ineligible.
