Three officials from Sonali Bank PLC (SBPLC) testified on Monday in three cases filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 52 others over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk Purbachal New Town Project.
The witnesses SBPLC Senior Principal Officer Goutam Kumar Shikder, Principal Officer Shariful Islam, and Senior Officer (cash) Riad Mahmud gave their statements before Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4.
After hearing the witnesses, Judge Robiul Islam adjourned proceedings until 16 October, according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam.
These are three of six cases filed by the ACC in January 2025, over the alleged misuse of authority in allocating residential plots to politically connected individuals. The remaining three cases, involving 47 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, are underway at Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5.
On 31 July, both courts formally framed charges in the cases and issued arrest warrants after the accused failed to appear despite repeated summons. Earlier, on 1 July, the court had ordered a gazette notification summoning all 100 accused.
The ACC lodged the cases between 12 and 14 January and submitted charge sheets on 10 March.
The allegations revolve around questionable allocations of 10-katha Purbachal plots to various high-profile individuals, including members of Sheikh Hasina’s immediate and extended family.
