Sheikh Hasina / New arrest warrant issued against Sheikh Hasina and her son and 16 others

Sheikh Hasina: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is once again in legal trouble. A Bangladesh court has issued a new arrest warrant against Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wajed and 16 others due to serious allegations of corruption. The case is related to the illegal allotment of residential plots in Purbachal New Town on the outskirts of Dhaka.

What are the allegations?

According to the court, Sheikh Hasina and her associates are accused of committing serious irregularities in the allotment of plots while in power. This action has been taken on the basis of the charge sheet of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). This charge sheet includes the names of many senior government officials including the former Prime Minister.

Court's comment

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court issued arrest warrants in two cases and clarified that this decision has been taken on the basis of the charge sheet of ACC and the evidence presented. The court has directed the police officials to submit a detailed report in this regard by April 29 if the accused are arrested.

Warrants have been issued earlier as well

This is not the first time that legal action has been taken against Sheikh Hasina and her family. Earlier also, the same court had issued arrest warrants against a total of 48 people including Hasina, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, British MP Tulip Siddique and Rehana's son Radwan Mujibur Siddique. In those cases too, there is an allegation of illegal land allotment by misusing political position.

Increasing political tension

This legal action has brought new turmoil in Bangladesh politics. This development has come to light at a time when Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League is already facing sharp attacks from the opposition. The opposition is preparing for a massive movement linking this issue to the accountability and transparency of the government.