Sheikh Hasina Corruption Case: Sajeeb Wazed Slams “Fabricated” Charges, Accuses Interim Govt of Political Vendetta
Dhaka, Aug 13 (TheTrendingPeople) – As a Bangladesh court prepared to record the testimonies of prosecution witnesses in a high-profile corruption case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and members of her family on Wednesday, her son Sajeeb Wazed launched a sharp attack on the Muhammad Yunus–led interim government, calling the allegations “fabricated” and politically motivated.
The case, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), centres on alleged irregularities in the Purbachal New Town project. Charges were formally brought on July 31 against Hasina, Wazed, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and several others. The court also issued arrest warrants and set August 13 as the date to begin recording witness statements.
Wazed: “Every Step Followed the Law”
Wazed, who previously served as the Information and Communication Technology Advisor to the Prime Minister, rejected all allegations, saying the acquisition of Purbachal plots had been fully compliant with legal procedures.
“From application to allotment and payment, every step followed the letter of the law,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that plots were purchased from the government at official rates.
He claimed the real motivation behind the cases was to “sully the name” of his family, accusing the ACC of acting under political pressure from the interim administration.
Targeting the ACC and Judiciary
The former advisor singled out ACC Chairman Abdul Momen, alleging past corruption and ties to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Wazed asserted that under the current government, the ACC had become a “full-time tool for harassing and defaming” his family.
He further alleged that judicial independence had been compromised through political interference, intimidation of judges, and the influence of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami lawyers.
Claims of Broader Crackdown
Wazed said the case against his family was part of a broader campaign targeting Awami League leaders and supporters, who, according to him, are facing “wholesale false criminal cases” and extended pre-trial detention.
“Even if someone gets bail, they are shown arrested in more cases to prolong detention,” he claimed, adding that lawyers and defendants face harassment in court without accountability.
Background on the Purbachal Project Case
The Purbachal New Town project, located near Dhaka, is one of Bangladesh’s largest planned housing initiatives. The ACC alleges that Hasina and her family members acquired plots through irregular means during her tenure as Prime Minister.
The defence maintains that all allocations were transparent and in line with government policy, framing the case as part of a political vendetta linked to the current power structure.
Why It Matters
This case comes at a politically sensitive time for Bangladesh, with the Yunus-led interim government facing both domestic criticism and international scrutiny over its handling of opposition leaders and perceived erosion of judicial independence.
Observers warn that the outcome could have significant implications for Bangladesh’s political stability and the country’s image abroad.