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An arrest warrant was issued in Bangladesh for former city minister in the UK Tulip Siddiq on allegations that she abused political power to illegally gain land in a rich city near Dhaka.
One court issued an order for Siddiq, along with her mother Sheikh Rehana, her aunt and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other family members, told one official in the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission for The Financial Times.
Siddiq was called to appear for a hearing on Sunday after an early announcement issued on April 10. After she failed to attend, the court issued arrest warrants, the official said.
The case, brought by the ACC, focuses on claims that the family illegally received approximately half of a hectare plot in Purbachal, a planned residential area on the outskirts of the capital.
The ACC claims that Siddiq used its political influence to provide government plots for itself and its family, taking advantage of the illegal allocation of state -owned land.
The court had previously issued an order on April 10 against 18 individuals on a particular case involving irregularities claimed in land allocations.
Lawyers representing Siddiq said in a statement: “ACC did not respond to Mrs. Siddiq or has not decided any claims directly or through its lawyers.”
“Mrs. Siddy knows nothing about a hearing in Dhaka about her and she has no knowledge of any arrest warrant that is said to have been issued,” they added.
They said “there is no basis for making any accusations that must be made against her, and there is no truth in any claim that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means” and added “it is clear to us that the charges are politically motivated.”
Siddiq resigned from her ministerial post in January amidst political pressure following the allegations, first reported by FT that she had benefited from Awami League -related properties, the authoritarian party led by her aunt Sheikh Hasina.
The agency has also claimed that Siddic used a false notary to transfer a special flat for her sister.
Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year term ended last August between widespread protests against her regime.
Siddiq’s lawyers withdrew against the allegations last month, arguing that the former minister was a victim of “false, disturbing and uncorroborated claims” and that the media was used by Bangladesh authorities as a “vehicle to publish” real “claims, and which were not put on their client.
They said she had donated to her sister’s property after her election as an MP in a “legally and legally made” transfer “registered” to the Bangladesh authorities.
