Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Testimonies in a corruption case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others on charges of abusing power to acquire plots in the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha's (RAJUK) Purbachal New Town project concluded on Monday.
Judge of the Special Court 5 in Dhaka Md Abdullah Al Mamun then set November 17 for the defence hearing.
Earlier, lawyer Shahinur Rahman, who appeared before the court on behalf of one of the accused, Khurshid Alam, cross-examined Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya, the investigation officer of the case.
ACC Public Prosecutor Shamsuddin Mohammad Abul Kalam said apart from Hasina's case, the cross-examination of the investigation officer in the case filed against Sajeeb Wazed Joy and others on similar allegations had also been completed, while that in the lawsuit against Saima Wazed and others had partly been finished.
Khurshid is the only accused currently behind bars in the three cases.
His lawyer Shahinur Rahman is conducting the cross-examination of witnesses in the cases.
Earlier on July 31 this year, two separate special courts in Dhaka framed charges against 27 individuals in six cases filed on charges of abusing power to acquire plots in the Purbachal project.
Later, Judge Md Abdullah Al Mamun fixed August 11 to start recording witness depositions in three cases.
The three cases heard by him include one where 12 individuals, including Hasina, were accused. 17 individuals, including Joy, were accused in another case.
In the third case, 18 individuals, including Saima, were accused.
As per the prosecution, only individuals who do not own any plot or home in Dhaka are eligible to apply for a RAJUK plot.
However, Hasina and her family members submitted false affidavits to RAJUK, claiming they did not own any land or home in Dhaka city.
But the ACC investigation revealed that each member of her family owned plots, land, or homes in the city.
In fact, they obtained an allotment of 60 kathas of RAJUK land by abusing their power, which constitutes a criminal offence.
bikashju@gmail.com