Dhaka, July 13 — The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a three-month stay on proceedings in a high-profile flat forgery case involving British MP Tulip Siddiq, prompting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to announce plans for an appeal against the order.
The stay was granted following a writ petition filed by one of the accused, Shah Khasruzzaman. A bench led by Justice Mohammad Ali also issued a rule asking authorities to explain why the case should not be dismissed.
The ACC had filed the case on April 15, accusing Tulip Siddiq—Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn and niece of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—along with two former RAJUK officials, Shah Khasruzzaman and Sardar Mosharraf Hossain, of facilitating illegal construction by Eastern Housing Ltd in Gulshan. In exchange, Siddiq allegedly received a flat in the same building free of charge.
Siddiq has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “completely fabricated and politically motivated.” Speaking to British media shortly after the case was filed, she said: “This is a blatant attempt to tarnish my image and silence my voice, both in the UK and in Bangladesh. I have never been involved in any such property transaction.”
The charges have drawn criticism in the UK, particularly among legal analysts, human rights groups, and British-Bangladeshi community leaders, who see the case as part of a transnational pressure campaign against dissenting or independent political voices.
In a show of support, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a brief statement regarding the matter:
“Tulip Siddiq is a respected Member of Parliament and a dedicated public servant. We stand by her as she faces these baseless accusations abroad. The UK Government is monitoring the situation closely and remains committed to protecting the integrity and dignity of our elected officials.”
Meanwhile, the ACC in Bangladesh has expressed concern over the High Court’s stay. ACC lawyer M.A. Aziz Khan called the timing “unexpected” and warned that it could permanently halt the ongoing investigation. “We are preparing to appeal the decision to ensure the investigation can proceed and, if necessary, a charge sheet can be submitted for the court’s consideration,” he said.
The case continues to raise questions about judicial independence, political pressure, and international relations between the UK and Bangladesh—particularly as Siddiq balances her British political role with her familial ties to one of South Asia’s most powerful political dynasties.
