Staff Reporter:
Nine more witnesses testified on Tuesday against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and others in connection with alleged irregularities in the Purbachal New Town Project under the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
The testimonies were recorded by Judge Md Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5. The next hearing is scheduled for 15 October, according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan (Lipon).
The witnesses who testified include Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, a motor cleaner at the Chief Adviser’s Office; Zahidur Rahman, sub-registrar of Kaliganj in Gazipur; Mahbubur Rahman, sub-registrar of the Record Room in Gazipur Sadar; M Mezbhaur Rahman, a former Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate; Taiyaba Rahim, senior assistant and accounts officer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC); Kamrun Nahar, a typist at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Sefatullah, a Dhaka Metropolitan magistrate; Md. Rafiqul Islam, an administrative officer at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; and Mukti Torofdar, a computer operator.
The ACC filed six cases between 12 and 14 January this year, accusing members of Sheikh Hasina’s family, along with government and RAJUK officials, of illegal plot allocations in the Purbachal project. Charge sheets were submitted on 10 March.
On 1 July, the court ordered a gazette notification summoning nearly 100 accused across the six cases. Charges were formally framed, and arrest warrants were issued on 31 July. All accused are currently absconding.
Earlier, 21 witnesses gave their statements before the court in the cases.
The accused in the cases include Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul; Radwan Mujib Siddiq Boby, the son of Sheikh Rehana; and Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, daughters of Sheikh Rehana. Several senior officials from the government and RAJUK are also among the accused.
