A Dhaka court has begun hearing a corruption case against 17 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and UK lawmaker Tulip Siddiq.

The proceedings started today with testimony from the complainant, Md Salahuddin, a deputy director at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). He began his deposition before Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court-4 at around 10:45am, according to the court correspondent.

The ACC filed six separate cases between January 12 and 14 through its Dhaka Integrated District Office-1, accusing the defendants of irregularities in land allocations under the Purbachal New Town Project.

Investigators allege that Hasina, in coordination with senior Rajuk officials, unlawfully acquired six 10-katha plots in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27. The plots were reportedly allocated to herself, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Rehana, and Rehana’s children — Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and Azmina Siddiq — despite their ineligibility under existing rules.

According to the ACC, Tulip Siddiq allegedly used her influence to secure plots for Rehana, Bobby, and Azmina.

On March 25, the commission submitted charge sheets to the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court in Dhaka, naming Hasina as a common accused in all six cases.

The accused have been listed as fugitives. Arrest warrants were issued on April 10, 13, and 15 against Hasina, Rehana, Joy, Putul, Tulip, Azmina, Radwan, and others after the court took the charges into consideration.