15 people testify against Rehana, her children over Purbachal ‘plot graft’

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept 21

As many as 15 people have testified in three cases initiated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Purbachal New Town project.

The cases implicate ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana's children -- British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq.

Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka's Special Judge’s Court No. 4 recorded the testimonies on Thursday.

The witnesses were Delwar Hossain and Shafiqul Islam, office assistants at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, chief assistant at Tax Zone-6 of the NBR; Rezaul Haque, a shorthand typist cum computer operator; and Abu Taher, a notice server.

ACC counsel Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said the five officials were counted as 15 witnesses as they testified separately in all three cases.

As 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 21.