Trial to Proceed Without Hasina and 23 Others in Plot Cases

A Dhaka court has ordered that trials in six corruption cases concerning illegal government plot allocations in the Purbachal New Town Project will continue in the absence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 23 others.

Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib confirmed that official gazette notifications had declared the accused as absconders. Following this, the court directed that the cases be transferred to a Special Judge Court for trial proceedings.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said the publication of gazette notices allowed the trials to move forward. The cases will now be heard in one of Dhaka’s 11 Special Judge Courts.

Arrest warrants have been issued for all 24 accused, who are believed to be hiding to evade arrest and trial. Under Section 6(13) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1958, trials can proceed without the presence of the accused.

The accused include Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s children—British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmira Siddiq Rupu, and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby. Several former and current officials of the housing ministry and Rajuk are also named, including former Rajuk chairman Anisur Rahman Miah.

The ACC filed the six cases in January 2025, accusing the defendants of abuse of power and favoritism in government plot allocations. Charge sheets have been submitted, but all accused remain at large.