Staff Correspondent

A Dhaka court on Thursday framed charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul and other accused in six cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged irregularities in plot allocation by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in three cases while Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in the remaining three cases, said ACC prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam.

Formal trial began against them with the framing of charges in the cases.

As all the accused remain absconding, the courts also issued warrants for their arrest.

The courts fixed August 13 for recording the testimonies of prosecution witnesses.

Earlier on July 20, the six cases over Rajuk plot allocation were transferred to the two special courts—three each.

Other accused in the cases included Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana,  her daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq,  Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works Shahid Ullah Khandaker, Additional Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Administrative Officer Saiful Islam Sarker, Senior Assistant Secretary Purabi Goldar, former Rajuk Chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, former members Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Kabir Al Asad, Tanmoy Das, Nurul Islam, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Director Sheikh Shahinul Islam, Deputy Directors Hafizur Rahman and Habibur Rahman, former State Minister Sharif Ahmed, and former Prime Minister’s Private Secretary Salauddin.

The ACC had filed the six cases in January this year accusing  them of illegally securing Rajuk plots misusing their positions.

Chargesheets in all six cases were submitted to court.