17 people testify against Hasina, Joy, Putul over ‘plot graft’

The next testimony will be heard on Sept 2

The second day of testimony in three corruption cases involving deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul has concluded in Dhaka.

The cases stem from alleged irregularities in the Purbachal New Town project.

Dhaka’s Fifth Special Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun heard testimony from 17 witnesses on Tuesday.

The witnesses included Mahbubur Rahman, deputy director of RAJUK, Asim Shil, assistant director of RAJUK, Ullash Chowdhury, assistant director of RAJUK, Akhter Jahan, administrative officer at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Dhiraj Chandra Barman, assistant director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Shafiqul Islam, an office assistant at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and Sourav Das, assistant director of the ACC.

ACC Prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan said the seven officials were counted as 17 witnesses since some testified in multiple cases.

Six testified in the two cases against Hasina and Putul, 12 in each, and five in the case against Joy.

Because all of the accused are absconding, their lawyers were unable to cross-examine the witnesses.

The court scheduled the next round of testimony for Sept 2.