Dhaka, April 10 (V7N) – In a significant legal development, a Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 18 others in connection with a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding irregularities in the allocation of residential plots under the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK).

On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib accepted the charge sheet filed by the ACC and subsequently issued arrest warrants as the accused were reported absconding.

The warrants extend to several former and current high-ranking government officials, including:

  • Md. Saiful Islam Sarkar – Administrative Officer, Ministry of National Housing and Public Works

  • Purbi Goldar – Senior Assistant Secretary

  • Kazi Washi Uddin – Additional Secretary

  • Md. Shahid Ullah Khandaker – Secretary

  • Md. Anisur Rahman Miah – PA to former RAJUK Chairman

  • Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Kabir Al Asad, Tanmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin – Former RAJUK members

  • Major (Eng.) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (Retd.)

  • Md. Nurul Islam

  • Sheikh Shahinul Islam – Director, RAJUK

  • Md. Hafizur Rahman – Deputy Director

  • Habibur Rahman

  • Mohammad Salah Uddin

  • Sharif Ahmed

The ACC has filed six separate cases against Sheikh Hasina and her family members alleging abuse of power and irregularities in the allocation of plots in the Purbachal New Town Project, RAJUK’s flagship urban expansion initiative.

According to ACC’s Assistant Director of the Prosecution Division, Aminul Islam, the court took cognizance of the charge sheet in one of the six cases and ordered the arrest of the accused. The next court date has been set for May 4, when the report on the execution of the arrest warrants is due.

While Sheikh Hasina has already been named in three other cases by the International Crimes Tribunal—including charges of genocide, enforced disappearances, and the Shapla Chattar mass killing—this marks the first instance of her being formally charged in a corruption case.

Legal experts suggest that this move may further complicate the former Prime Minister’s legal standing, especially amid growing scrutiny over alleged corruption and human rights violations during her tenure.

The ACC stated that the investigation revealed evidence of plot allocations made in violation of legal procedures, with preferential treatment allegedly extended to family members and political affiliates of the then-premier.

As this high-profile case unfolds, it is likely to have far-reaching political and legal implications, both domestically and internationally, particularly regarding judicial independence, accountability, and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

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