Hasina, family members face graft charges in cases over plot scandal

The Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, has brought charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and their children in six cases involving the alleged abuse of power and irregularities surrounding the allocation of 60 katha of plots under a housing project in Dhaka's Purbachal, reports bdnews24.com.
The chargesheets against them were approved on Monday and will be submitted to the court soon, according to ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain.
The other individuals implicated in the cases are Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed, along with Rehana's three children, Tulip Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq.
According to the documents reviewed by the ACC, Hasina was granted a 10-katha (plot no. 009) on Aug 3, 2022, with the allotment letter issued in her name by RAJUK.
Similarly, her son Joy (plot no. 015), and daughter Saima (plot no. 017) received 10-katha each.
Joy's allotment letter was issued on Oct 24, 2022, with the ownership finalised on Nov 10, 2024. Meanwhile, Saima's allocation was confirmed on Nov 2, 2024.
Rehana secured 10-katha (plot no. 013), while her children, Radwan (plot no. 011) and Azmina (plot no. 019) were also allocated 10-katha each.
The allegations came under heightened scrutiny last year when the High Court formed a three-member committee to examine potential irregularities in the allocation of Purbachal plots to Hasina and six members of her family.
The committee was also tasked with investigating broader allegations of favouritism in RAJUK plot allocations spanning the Awami League's tenure from 2009 to 2024.