In a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding allegations of corruption in plot allocation by the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK), the court has issued arrest warrants against 18 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On Thursday, April 10, the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib accepted the charge sheet submitted by the ACC. As the accused are currently absconding, the court has ordered their arrest.

The other individuals named in the arrest warrants include Saiful Islam Sorkar, an administrative official from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Senior Assistant Secretary Purabi Goldar; Additional Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin; Secretary Md. Shahid Ullah Khandkar; former Chairman of RAJUK’s PA Md. Anisur Rahman Miah; former RAJUK member Mohammad Khurshid Alam; Kabir Al Asad; Tanmoy Das; Mohammad Nasir Uddin; Major (Retd.) Engineer Samsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury; Mohammad Nurul Islam; Director Sheikh Shahinul Islam; Deputy Director Md. Hafizur Rahman; Habibur Rahman; Mohammad Salahuddin; and Sharif Ahmed. The last two were identified during the investigation.

Assistant Director of ACC’s prosecution department Aminul Islam confirmed the details and stated that the charge sheet has been accepted by the court, which has also ordered the arrest of the accused. The court has set May 4 as the deadline for submitting a report on the arrest.

The case was filed on January 12 by ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya, who alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, abused her power to secretly acquire a plot in the Purbachal New Town housing project, despite already owning properties in the Dhaka city area under RAJUK’s jurisdiction. The charge sheet claims that Putul, while holding a public office, misused her influence to secure the plot in her name through illegal means, thus violating rules and regulations. The case accuses the individuals involved of engaging in illegal gratification, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy, under the Penal Code and the Anti-Corruption Act. The ACC submitted the charge sheet on March 10, after concluding the investigation.