Testimony in Hasina-Tulip Purbachal plot scam case deferred

A Dhaka court has deferred the testimony hearing in a corruption case over the allocation of a 30-katha RAJUK plot in the Purbachal New Town Project, in which former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Rezwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiqi and 15 others are accused.

Although testimony from the investigation officer was scheduled for Sunday (November 30), it did not proceed. Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4 rescheduled the hearing for January 5 next year, according to court officials.

Other accused in the case include senior officials of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, former RAJUK chairmen and members, as well as former state minister Sharif Ahmed and former prime minister’s aide Salauddin.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed six separate cases on January 14, alleging abuse of power in plot allocations involving Sheikh Hasina, members of her family and various government officials. The six cases name a total of 47 accused. Verdicts in three of the cases were delivered on November 27.