A Dhaka court has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to a total of 21 years in prison in three separate corruption cases related to the illegal allocation of state-owned land in the Purbachal New Town Project.
The special court has also sentenced Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul and 18 others to varying prison terms in three corruption cases involving alleged misuse of power and illegal allocation of government land in the Purbachal New Town Project.
On Thursday, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-5 delivered the verdicts.
Sheikh Hasina was handed seven years' rigorous imprisonment in each of three cases, totalling 21 years, along with Tk 300,000 in fines. Failure to pay fine will result in an additional 18 months' imprisonment.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy received five years' rigorous imprisonment and a Tk 100,000 fine, while Saima Wazed Putul received the same sentence in a separate case. Both face an additional six months in jail if they fail to pay the fines.
Among other key convictions, former prime ministerial secretary Mohammad Salah Uddin was sentenced to 12 years in two cases, and former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed received 18 years in three cases. Former housing ministry secretaries Md. Shahid Ulla Khandaker and Kazi Wasi Uddin were also sentenced to 18 years each.
Former Rajuk chairman Anisur Rahman Mia was sentenced to 15 years, while several other Rajuk officials received sentences ranging from one to nine years, depending on their involvement.
Administrative officer Md. Saiful Islam Sarkar was acquitted after charges against him were not proved.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the three cases in January over alleged irregularities in the allocation of a 30-katha plot in Purbachal. After investigation, chargesheets were submitted on 10 March, and the court framed charges on 31 July. A total of 80 witnesses testified during the trial.
Three additional cases involving similar allegations, also naming Sheikh Hasina and other family members, including her sister Sheikh Rehana's children Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq, are scheduled for verdict on 1 December.
A total of 47 individuals were accused across the six cases, including senior officials from the Housing and Public Works Ministry and Rajuk.
According to the ACC, the former prime minister and her family members used political influence to unlawfully secure Rajuk residential plots. Several government officials allegedly assisted in the process by bending rules, manipulating eligibility criteria and abusing their positions.
