ACC sues Hasina, Saima, 15 others over Purbachal plot allocation irregularities

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her daughter Saima Wazed, and 15 others, including her family members and close associates, in connection with the Purbachal plot scandal.

ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhter Hossain confirmed the development to journalists on Sunday evening at the commission's headquarters. The case was filed with the ACC's District Office-1.

The allegations involve abuse of power, corruption, and irregularities in collaboration with senior officials of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

Specifically, the case pertains to the unlawful allocation of six plots, each measuring 10 kathas, located on Road 203 in the Diplomatic Zone of Sector 27 within the Purbachal New City Project. The total area of the plots amounts to 60 kathas.

The investigation has named Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed as primary accused.

Saima Wazed is accused of concealing property ownership under Rajuk’s jurisdiction while unlawfully securing the plots, violating the legal framework governing land distribution in the Purbachal New City Project.

Sheikh Hasina, the second accused, allegedly exploited her position as the country’s highest-ranking official to facilitate the illegal allocation of plots, in violation of established legal protocols and regulations.

The case also implicates several senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Rajuk, including Saiful Islam, an administrative officer at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Purabi Goldar, a senior assistant secretary at the same ministry; and Kazi Wasi Uddin, additional secretary (administration) at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

Other implicated individuals include Shahid Ullah Khandakar, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Anisul Rahman Miah, former chairman of Rajuk; Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former member (estate and land) of Rajuk; Kabir Al Asad, member (administration and finance) of RAJUK; and Tanmoy Das, member (development control) of Rajuk.

Additionally, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, former member (planning) of Rajuk; Major (Engr) Shamsuddin Ahmad Chowdhury (retd), former member (development) of Rajuk; Md. Hafizur Rahman, deputy director (estate and land-3) of Rajuk; Habibur Rahman, deputy director (Ch DA, estate and land-3) of Rajuk; Sheikh Shahinul Islam, director (estate and land-2) of Rajuk; Mohammad Nurul Islam, member (estate and land) of Rajuk; and Md Anisur Rahman Miah, former chairman of Rajuk, have also been named in the case.

These individuals, along with Sheikh Hasina and her family members, are accused of abusing their positions to unlawfully allocate plots in the Purbachal New City Project.

The commission’s report alleges that they gained personal benefits and facilitated similar benefits for others by violating legal procedures governing plot allocation.

The investigation uncovered evidence of corruption, illegal financial gains, breaches of trust, and favouritism.

Based on these findings, the ACC filed criminal charges against the accused under Sections 161, 163, 164, 409, and 109 of the Penal Code of 1860, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The case has been registered as Case No. 39.