Dhaka, July 7 (V7N) — A Dhaka court has officially summoned former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 22 others in connection with six separate corruption cases involving alleged irregularities in government plot allocations under Rajuk’s Purbachal New Town Project. A gazette notification summoning the accused was published by the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press), following a directive from Dhaka’s Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib.

The court ordered the gazette as part of formal legal procedures after Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam confirmed Sunday that the court had instructed publication due to the accused remaining absconding.

According to the gazette, arrest warrants were previously issued against all 23 accused individuals. The court noted that there is reasonable ground to believe they are deliberately evading arrest and legal proceedings. As such, the court believes there is no immediate prospect of arrest, prompting the gazette notice as a final step before beginning trial in absentia.

The next hearing date in these cases has been set for July 20, 2025. If the defendants fail to appear before the court by that date, proceedings will begin in their absence as per legal provisions under the Criminal Procedure Code of Bangladesh.

Key Accused:

Among the individuals named in the gazette are:

  • Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh

  • Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT advisor and son of Sheikh Hasina

  • saima wazed putul, mental health advocate and daughter of Sheikh Hasina

  • Sheikh Rehana, sister of Sheikh Hasina

  • Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, British MP and daughter of Sheikh Rehana

  • Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, grandson of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

  • Former and current RAJUK officials, including ex-chairmen and estate department heads

  • Former junior minister Sharif Ahmed

  • Former Principal Secretary Salahuddin

Case Background:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed six separate cases in January 2025 alleging that the defendants abused their positions to illegally obtain government plots in the prestigious Purbachal New Town Project — a flagship urban development initiative overseen by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

According to the ACC, the allocations were made bypassing standard procedures, undermining eligibility criteria and regulations, and in violation of public interest. Investigators submitted formal charge sheets to the court earlier this year. As the accused failed to respond to court summons or surrender, arrest warrants were issued.

The publication of the gazette is the final legal formality before trial proceedings can begin under Section 87 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows for trial in absentia if accused persons willfully evade justice.

The inclusion of such high-profile names — including prominent political figures, bureaucrats, and family members of national leaders — has drawn significant national and international attention. If convicted, the defendants could face criminal penalties including imprisonment, fines, and cancellation of land allotments.

The ACC has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public land allocations and stated that no one is above the law, regardless of rank or affiliation.

Further updates are expected following the July 20 hearing.

END/KMD/SMA/