A court in Bangladesh on Thursday issued a fresh arrest warrant against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her daughter Saima Wajed Putul, and 17 others in a corruption case. They are accused of illegally obtaining a residential plot through dishonest means. The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge, Zakir Hossain Galib, accepted the charge sheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on the same day.

Since the accused were missing, the court ordered their arrest by issuing warrants. "Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad Zakir Hossain Galib issued the warrant accepting the ACC charge sheet in the case," the statutory graft agency's prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam told reporters. The judge has instructed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to submit its investigation report by May 4, as part of the hearing regarding a case involving a piece of leased land in the Purbachal area, located on the outskirts of Dhaka. The ACC filed the case against the former prime minister on January 12, 2025, along with several government officials who are also co-accused.

The charge sheet claims that Putul unlawfully influenced her mother, then-Prime Minister Hasina, to secure the plot for herself. This action bypassed the proper procedure by applying directly to her mother instead of following the rules and policies for plot allocation in the Purbachal New City Housing Project. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has accused Putul of owning a house, flat, or housing facility in an area under the jurisdiction of RAJUK in Dhaka city, despite the fact that she and her family members own property there.

Putul is currently serving as the South East Asian Regional Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in New Delhi, a position she has held since November 1, 2023. Earlier, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal issued two arrest warrants against Prime Minister Hasina, her political associates, and high-ranking civil and military officials, accusing them of crimes such as crimes against humanity and enforced disappearances. These individuals are being prosecuted in Bangladesh.

However, the latest warrant was issued just one day after the ACC announced it had started a new investigation into the alleged misuse of Taka 4,000 crore by Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and a former official related to the Mujib Centenary celebrations. The ACC claimed that the money it mentioned was paid from the government’s funds. However, he stated that the inquiry into the problem is in progress, having started in January of this year. "Our team is currently collecting information from various organisations." Earlier this week, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said that there is no difference between a former prime minister and any regular corrupt person. He explained that the process to bring back a corrupt fugitive is the same—whether it’s Hasina or anyone else.

Hasina is also facing multiple allegations, including mass killings, crimes against humanity, and enforced disappearances. These charges were filed with Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. The tribunal was originally set up to try those who collaborated with Pakistan's army during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Many of those collaborators were tried, and after going through the full appeal process, several were executed.