ACC files cases in Purbachal plot scandal, British Minister Tulip Siddiq among the accused

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed three new cases related to the Purbachal plot scandal, accusing several individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, of corruption and abuse of power. 

One of the accused is Tulip Siddiq, a British Minister and the daughter of Sheikh Rehana, who is also implicated in the case.

On Monday, January 13, the ACC filed these three separate cases, following a previous case filed on Sunday, January 12, which involved Sheikh Hasina, Saima Wazed Putul, and 16 others. 

The cases allege that the accused acquired 60 kathas (a unit of land) in Purbachal through illegal means, including misuse of power and corruption. 

The charges have been brought under various sections of the Penal Code of 1860, as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

According to the charges, Sheikh Hasina and her family, along with senior officials from Rajuk (Capital Development Authority), used their positions to obtain six plots of land, each measuring 10 kathas, located in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27 in the Purbachal New Town Project.

Along with Sheikh Hasina, the other accused individuals include her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, as well as various officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Rajuk. 

These officials include Md. Saiful Islam Sorkar (administrative officer), Purbhi Goldar (senior assistant secretary), Kazi Wachi Uddin (additional secretary), Md. Shahid Ullah Khandakar (secretary), and others.

In addition, several former Rajuk members are named in the case, including Mohammad Khurshid Alam (former member for Estate and Land), Tanmay Das (former member for Development Control), Mohammad Nasir Uddin (former member for Planning), and others involved in the estate and land management.

The case adds to the growing list of corruption allegations related to land deals in the country, and it seems that the investigation is only beginning to uncover more details.