Dhaka courts have officially begun proceedings in six separate cases involving alleged fraudulent land allocations in the Purbachal New Town Project. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and their children are among the key accused, marking a significant development in a high-profile corruption investigation.
On Thursday (July 31), Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4, presided over by Md. Robiul Alam, and Special Judge Court-5, led by Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, ordered the commencement of the trial by framing charges against the accused.
Since all the defendants are currently absconding, the courts also issued arrest warrants. The first hearing for witness testimony has been scheduled for August 13.
Among those facing trial are Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Sheikh Rehana’s daughter and British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and daughter Azmina Siddiq.
Other defendants include senior bureaucrats and former officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). These include:
-
Secretary Md. Shahid Ullah Khandaker,
-
Additional Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin,
-
Administrative Officer Saiful Islam Sarkar,
-
Senior Assistant Secretary Purabi Goldar,
-
Former RAJUK Chairman Anichur Rahman Mia,
-
Former and current RAJUK members Khurshid Alam, Kabir Al Asad, Tanmoy Das, Nurul Islam, and others.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleges that the accused misused their positions to illegally allocate six plots in Sector 27, Road 203 of the Purbachal housing project, an area designated for diplomatic use. According to the charges, the beneficiaries did not meet the eligibility criteria for receiving plots, and allocations were made through abuse of power.
The charges include violations under Sections 161, 163, 164, 409, and 109 of the Penal Code of 1860, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
The investigation began on December 26, 2024, when the ACC launched an inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Their findings revealed that six plots were allocated to Sheikh Hasina, her son, daughter, sister, and two nieces and nephews—all situated in the diplomatic zone of Purbachal.
The specific allocations are as follows:
-
Sheikh Hasina received a 10-katha plot (No. 009) via a letter dated August 3, 2022.
-
Sajeeb Wazed Joy received plot No. 015, and Saima Wazed Putul plot No. 017—both measuring 10 kathas. Joy’s allocation letter was issued on October 24, 2022, with registration finalized on November 10. Putul’s allocation was dated November 2, 2022.
-
Sheikh Rehana received plot No. 013.
-
Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were allotted plots No. 011 and 019, respectively.
Following this, the ACC filed six separate corruption cases on January 12, 13, and 14 of this year.
