Witness hearings have started in three corruption cases over alleged irregularities in plot allocations in Purbachal against members of the family of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4 began recording testimony in cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Sheikh Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana, her daughter and UK MP Tulip Siddiq, her other daughter Azmina Siddiq, and her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq (Bobby).
Tulip Siddiq, a member of the UK Parliament and former City Minister, is facing trial in Bangladesh in connection with the charges. On 11 August, a separate court began hearing testimony in three other cases involving similar allegations against Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul.
In total, six cases have been filed. Special Judge Court-5 set 11 August for hearings in three cases, while Special Judge Court-4 set 13 August for the other three. The cases involve 23 accused, including former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed, ex-secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, additional secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, former Rajuk chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, several Rajuk officials, the former prime minister’s private secretary, and the then administrative officer of the ministry.
ACC public prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hossain said Rajuk rules allowed only those without plots, cars, or houses in Dhaka to apply for allocations. “But the Sheikh Hasina family submitted false affidavits claiming they had no property in Dhaka,” he said. Investigations later found they owned land, houses, and cars, and used abuse of power to acquire 60-katha plots in Purbachal New Town Project—offences carrying a maximum life sentence, he added.
ACC public prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said public notices were issued summoning the accused in all six cases, and the Senior Special Judge’s Court later transferred them to trial courts.
The ACC opened its inquiry on 26 December 2024 and on 10 March 2025 approved charge sheets alleging collusion, abuse of power, and procedural violations in the allocation of the plots.