The testimonies in three corruption cases linked to alleged irregularities in RAJUK plot allocations involving 47 individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, are nearing completion, with 79 witnesses having given statements so far.
Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 heard testimonies from three witnesses in two of the three cases on Monday.
At the close of proceedings, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun adjourned the hearings until 6 November.
In the case against 12 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, Investigation Officer (IO) and ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya testified, followed by cross-examination by the defence, which remained incomplete at the end of the day.
Similarly, in the case against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy, IO and ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan along with RAJUK official Tanjillur Rahman testified. The cross-examination by the defence in this case also remains unfinished.
Meanwhile, no testimony was recorded in the third case, which involves 18 accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul.
ACC public prosecutor Delwar Jahan Rumi said, “The testimonies in these three cases are nearing completion as the defence is cross-examining the IOs in the cases against Sheikh Hasina and Joy. The date has also been fixed for recording the deposition of the IO in the case against Hasina and Putul. Once the testimony and cross-examination of the IO are completed, the witness depositions in these cases will conclude.”
Earlier, on 29 October, former RAJUK member Mohammad Khurshid Alam surrendered to the court. His lawyer, Mohammad Shaheenur Islam, was allowed to cross-examine the IO Afnat Jahan Keya. Following partial questioning, the court set the next hearing for 6 November.
Charges in the three cases were framed on 31 July by Dhaka Special Judge Court-5, which also issued arrest warrants against the accused. On the same day, Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three other similar cases.
The cases were initially forwarded to the trial courts on 20 July by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib, noting that the accused had failed to appear despite court summons. A gazette notification had been issued on 1 July summoning 100 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, and Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
The ACC lodged the six cases between 12 and 14 January 2025, filing charge sheets on 10 March.
