A Dhaka court has once again ordered the officers-in-charge of 12 police stations to submit progress reports by June 25 regarding the execution of arrest warrants against 18 individuals including deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots in the Purbachal New Town Project.
The order was issued by Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court after police failed to file the reports by the earlier deadline. On April 10, the court had first issued arrest warrants for Hasina, Putul, and others after taking cognisance of charges filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and had directed the police to submit execution progress reports by May 4. However, as no updates were filed, the court extended the deadline to May 25, and now to June 25.
The case, filed on January 12 by the ACC’s Dhaka Integrated District Office, alleges that Saima Wazed Putul, named as the prime accused, deliberately concealed information regarding her and her family’s ownership of housing within the jurisdiction of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk). The ACC accuses Sheikh Hasina, Putul, and 16 other former and current government officials of colluding to unlawfully obtain six 10-katha plots in Sector-27 (diplomatic zone) of the Purbachal project.
According to ACC documents, plots were allegedly allotted in violation of rules to Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and daughter Azmina Siddiq.
The 16 other accused include Saiful Islam Sarkar, administrative office; Purabi Goldar, senior assistant secretary; Kazi Wasi Uddin, additional secretary (administration); Shahid Ullah Khandaker, housing and public works secretary; Former and current Rajuk officials including Anisur Rahman Mia; Md Khurshid Alam; Kabir Al Asad; Tanmoy Das; Md Nasir Uddin; Major (retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury; Md Hafizur Rahman; Md Habibur Rahman; Sheikh Shahinul Islam; Md Nurul Islam; Mohammad Salahuddin, former personal secretary to Sheikh Hasina; Sharif Ahmed former state minister for housing and public works.
The ACC filed six separate cases regarding the plot allocations and on March 25, submitted charge sheets in all six, listing all 18 as fugitives for failing to secure bail from any court. Additionally, the ACC pressed charges in five other graft cases, naming Joy, Rehana, Tulip Siddiq, Radwan Mujib, and Azmina Siddiq. On April 13 and 15, the same court issued arrest warrants against them in these additional cases.
SC to hear ACC plea against Hasina's power plant graft case quashing July 15
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday set July 15 for holding hearing on a leave to appeal petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), challenging the High Court order that quashed the barge-mounted power plant graft case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
A three-member Appellate Division bench headed by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury set the date as the apex court wants to hear the matter by a full bench.
The ACC on September 2, 2007, filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station against seven people, including Sheikh Hasina. The anti-graft body on February 3, 2008, filed the charge-sheet. A makeshift special judge court even examined six witnesses in the court.
The High Court later stayed the proceedings of the case. After Awami League assumed power in 2009, it took initiative to hold hearing on a rule to repeal the case. The High Court on April 13, 2010, declared the rule absolute and quashed the case proceedings.
The ACC, after so many years, finally filed the leave to appeal petition against the High Court order.
