Sheikh Hasina-Rehana family in plot controversy: 54 witnesses' testimonies completed in three ACC cases

The ACC has completed the recording of 54 witnesses' testimonies in three cases filed against ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana, including 53 people, on charges of taking government plots in the Purbachal New Town project in the capital. Sheikh Rehana's daughters Tulip Rizwana Siddique, Azmina Siddique and son Radwan Mujib Siddique are also accused in the cases.

In the case filed against 17 people, including Sheikh Rehana and Sheikh Hasina, the recording of testimonies has completed for 19 people, out of which 26 are the witnesses included in the chargesheet. In the case filed against 18 people, including Azmina Siddique and Sheikh Hasina, the recording of testimonies has completed for 16 people, out of which 22 are the witnesses included in the chargesheet. In the case filed against 18 people, including Radwan Mujib Siddique and Sheikh Hasina, 19 witnesses have completed their testimony, with a total of 28 witnesses included in the chargesheet.

Although the court of Dhaka Special Judge-4 Judge Rabiul Alam had scheduled a date for taking testimony in three cases on Thursday, the court granted the request of the state party for an extension of time and fixed the next hearing for November 2.

A case was filed against Sheikh Rehana on January 13 on charges of abusing power and obtaining a 10-katha plot in the Purbachal New City Project through irregularities. Fifteen people, including Tulip Rizwana and Sheikh Hasina, were accused in the case, and later, after the investigation, two more people were added, bringing the total number of chargesheets to 17. Similarly, separate cases have been filed against Azmina Siddique and Radwan Mujib Siddique on the same charges. Various government officials and RAJUK officials have also been accused in each case.

On July 31, Dhaka's Special Judge's Court-4 framed charges against the accused and began the trial.