Five more prosecution witnesses today gave their depositions in three cases filed against 53 people, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana, over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots in RAJUK’s Purbachal New Town Project.

The witnesses — Delwar Hossain and Shafiqul Islam, office assistants of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, a tax inspector of the NBR; Rezaul Haq, stenographer and computer operator; and Abu Taher, notice server — testified before Dhaka Special Judge Court-4. After their statements, Judge Robiul Islam adjourned the hearing until September 21.

Earlier on August 28, three Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials — Deputy Director Mahbubar Rahman and Assistant Directors Ashim Shil and Ullash Chowdhury — testified in the cases. 

On August 13, case plaintiffs ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin and Assistant Directors Afnan Jannat Keya and SM Rashedul Hasan also submitted statements against Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, Tulip Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq and others.

The same three officials had testified in three other related cases on August 11 against 47 accused, including Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, before Dhaka Special Judge Court-5. Seven seizure-list witnesses later testified there on August 26, and the hearing was adjourned until September 2.

On July 31, both Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 and Court-5 framed charges in six related cases and issued arrest warrants, as the accused remained absconding.

The ACC filed the cases between January 12 and 14 this year, later submitting charge sheets on March 10. The charges involve alleged manipulation of design approvals, irregular plot allocations, and misuse of authority in the multi-crore Purbachal project.

MN/