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Arrest warrant issued for Hasina, Putul in Rajuk Plot graft case
A Dhaka court on Thursday issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 16 others in connection with alleged irregularities in plot allocations under the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
Judge Zakir Hossain Galib of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court passed the order after accepting the chargesheet submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The case, filed by the ACC on January 12, accuses the individuals of abuse of power, collusion, and violations of public trust in the allocation of a Rajuk plot in the Purbachal New Town Housing Project.
According to the case statement, Saima Wazed concealed information about owning other properties in Rajuk-regulated areas, including in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi. Despite her ineligibility, she allegedly used her mother’s political influence to obtain Plot No. 17, Road No. 203 in Sector 27 of Purbachal without paying the required fees.
The charges claim Sheikh Hasina, during her tenure as Prime Minister, abused her authority by influencing officials to unlawfully facilitate the allocation for her daughter.
Saima later took possession of the plot and had it formally registered in her name.
Other individuals named in the case include several former and current government officials:
Md Saiful Islam Sarkar (Ministry of Housing and Public Works), Senior Assistant Secretary Purbi Goldar, Additional Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker, and others from Rajuk, including former members and directors.
Aminul Islam, assistant director of the ACC prosecution division, stated the court has set May 4 as the deadline for submitting a report on the execution of the arrest warrants.
The chargesheet was submitted by the ACC on March 10, naming 18 individuals in total.