Testimony has begun in three separate corruption cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of Purbachal plots against Sheikh Rehana — sister of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — her daughter and UK MP Tulip Siddiq, Azmyna Siddiq, and her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq (Bobby).
The hearings started on Wednesday at Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4, presided over by Judge Md. Robiul Alam. Public Prosecutor (PP) for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Tarikul Islam, confirmed the development.
Tulip Siddiq, a sitting member of the UK Parliament and former City Minister, is currently facing trial in Bangladesh. Earlier, on August 11, testimonies began in three other cases involving Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul over similar allegations.
In total, six separate ACC cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina, members of her family, and 16 others over the alleged abuse of power to secure 60-katha plots in the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Purbachal New Town Project. Charges were framed on July 31 by two Dhaka special judge courts.
According to ACC PP Khan Md. Moinul Hossain, RAJUK regulations allow only those without plots, houses, or vehicles in Dhaka to apply for plots. However, the accused allegedly submitted false affidavits claiming they had no property in the capital. Investigations revealed that each family member already owned land, houses, and vehicles. The ACC alleges they abused their power to acquire the plots — an offense carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The 16 co-accused outside the Hasina family include former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed, former housing secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, additional secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, former RAJUK chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, and several current and former RAJUK members and officials, along with former prime minister’s aide Salauddin and former administrative officer Saiful Islam Sarkar.
The ACC began investigating the alleged plot allocation scam on December 26, 2024. On March 10 this year, the commission approved charge sheets in all six cases, accusing the defendants of conspiracy, abuse of power, and criminal breach of trust.
