The Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 has adjourned the hearing of three plot scam cases, involving 53 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, until 2 November.
The cases are related to irregularities in the allocation of plots in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project. The order was passed on Thursday by Judge Robiul Alam, who allowed a request for a time extension from the state.
To date, 54 witnesses have testified in the three cases, which include charges against Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and daughters Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq.
Out of the total witnesses, 19 have testified in the case against 17 individuals, including Hasina and Rehana. Sixteen witnesses have appeared in the case against 18 individuals, including Hasina and Azmina Siddiq, while 19 witnesses have given their depositions in the case against 18 individuals, including Hasina and Radwan Mujib Siddiq.
Additionally, proceedings for three more similar cases against 47 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, are ongoing at Dhaka Special Judge Court-5.
On July 31, Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in those three cases and issued arrest warrants as the accused remain absconding. On the same day, Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in the other three cases related to this matter.
Earlier, on July 20, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib referred the cases to the trial courts after the accused failed to appear despite court orders. On July 1, the court issued a gazette notification summoning 100 individuals, including Hasina, Rehana, and Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed six cases between January 12 and 14, 2025, and submitted charge sheets on March 10.
The cases stemmed from allegations of a plot scam involving the allocation of a 10-katha plot in Purbachal, with ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filing a case on January 14 against eight individuals, including Sheikh Hasina. Later, a charge sheet was filed against 12 people.
Another case filed on the same day by ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan involved 15 individuals, including Hasina and Joy, with a charge sheet naming 17.
Further cases followed on January 13, accusing various individuals, including members of the Hasina family, with charge sheets naming additional suspects.
