Dhaka, August 14 (V7N) - A Dhaka court has begun hearing witness testimonies in three separate corruption cases involving alleged irregularities in the allocation of government plots by the Capital Development Authority (Rajuk). The accused include former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, British Member of Parliament Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, and several others.
 
The cases allege that political influence was used to secure residential plots in a prime development area in violation of established procedures. The court heard statements from key witnesses, including senior officials from the Anti-Corruption Commission. The next hearing is scheduled for August 28.
 
British MP Tulip Siddiq has strongly criticized the trial, calling it politically motivated and describing the process as legally flawed and lacking transparency. She stated that she has not been officially contacted by the Bangladeshi authorities and claims the allegations are baseless and driven by political agendas.
 
According to the prosecution, charges were framed in July, and arrest warrants were issued as most of the defendants, including Sheikh Hasina and her family members, were absent from court. The defense maintains that the cases are part of a broader campaign to harass political figures and their families.
 
Legal experts and observers have expressed concern over the timing and tone of the trial, suggesting it may have broader implications for domestic politics and Bangladesh’s international relations.
 
The cases have drawn significant public interest as they involve some of the country’s most prominent political figures, raising questions about judicial independence, transparency, and the intersection of governance and familial influence.
 
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