Dhaka, 13 July  (V7N) — The Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) will file an appeal against a High Court order that has temporarily halted proceedings in its high‑profile “flat fraud” case involving British MP Tulip Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana, and two former RAJUK officials.

Background of the Case

On 15 April 2025, the ACC lodged an FIR accusing:

  1. Tulip Siddiq, MP

  2. Shah Khasruzzaman, former Director (Estate), RAJUK

  3. Sardar Mosharraf Hossain, former Joint Secretary, RAJUK

The allegation: Tulip Siddiq allegedly accepted a gratuitous luxury flat from developer Eastern Housing Ltd. in exchange for facilitating construction favours on a Gulshan plot. Investigators say this amounted to abuse of position and illicit gratification under the ACC Act.

High Court Intervention

On 8 July, a High Court bench led by Justice Mohammad Ali took up a writ filed by accused Shah Khasruzzaman. The bench issued:

  • A three‑month stay on proceedings in the ACC case

  • A rule nisi asking why the case should not be quashed on constitutional grounds

ACC Reaction

Speaking on Sunday, ACC counsel MA Aziz Khan called the stay “unexpected” and warned it could derail an investigation that was nearing completion.

“We will move the Appellate Division urgently so the probe can continue and a charge sheet, if warranted, can be submitted without obstruction,” Khan said.

He added that the written order appears to suspend action only against petitioner Khasruzzaman, not the entire case, but that ambiguity could still slow the broader probe.

Next Steps

  • Appeal filing: ACC legal wing drafting petition for swift hearing in Appellate Division

  • Investigation status: ACC claims evidence‑gathering is at “final stage,” pending interview of several key witnesses and forensic valuation of the Gulshan property

  • Potential outcomes: Appellate Division may uphold, vary, or set aside the stay, determining whether ACC can proceed against all or some of the accused

Political & Legal Significance

The case has drawn intense scrutiny because Tulip Siddiq is the niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a sitting Labour MP in the UK. Opposition groups say the investigation tests the government’s pledge of “zero tolerance” on corruption, while supporters argue the charges are politically motivated.

For now, anti‑graft officials insist they will “let the evidence speak” — if the courts allow the investigation to run its course.

END/CC/AJ