Dhaka court has begun hearing a corruption case against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with her two nieces, over allegations related to a government housing project. The case, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), accuses them of irregularities in the allocation of plots under a state-run housing scheme.

According to the ACC, the accused misused their positions to secure plots in a prime area at prices far below the market rate, causing a significant loss to the public exchequer. The alleged scam took place during Hasina’s earlier tenure in office.

The trial formally opened on Tuesday with the reading of the charges. Lawyers representing Hasina and her nieces have dismissed the case as politically motivated, claiming it is aimed at tarnishing her image ahead of the next general elections.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for later this month, where witness testimonies are expected to be presented. The case has drawn widespread attention in Bangladesh, given the political stature of those involved.