Dhaka, Aug. 1 -- Two Dhaka special courts have formally commenced trial proceedings in six high-profile corruption cases related to the controversial Purbachal New Town Project, issuing arrest warrants for 27 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and their children.

The cases, brought by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), allege abuse of power and irregularities in the allocation of residential plots by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), the government body overseeing one of Dhaka's largest planned urban developments.

Among the accused are Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and Rehana's children-Radwan Mujib Siddique Bobby, Tulip Rizwana Siddique, and ...