Corruption in Plot Allocation: The Prison Sentences of Hasina, Joy, and Putul

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk: A Dhaka court has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajib Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 22 others to various terms of imprisonment and fines in three separate corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The cases relate to the alleged misuse of power to obtain government plots under the Purbachal New Town Project.

In the three separate cases, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in each case, totaling 21 years, along with a fine of one lakh taka in each case—three lakh taka in total. In default of payment, she will have to serve an additional 18 months in prison.

Her son, former ICT Adviser Sajib Wazed Joy, was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment in one case and fined one lakh taka. In default, he will serve an additional six months.

Her daughter Saima Wazed Putul received five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of one lakh taka in one case, with an additional six months in default of payment.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday (27 November) by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5.

The court also issued sentences for several former officials:

• Mohammad Salah Uddin, former Principal Secretary-1 to the Prime Minister: 12 years (6 years in each of two cases) and a fine of two lakh taka; default: 12 months.

• Sharif Ahmed, former State Minister for Housing and Public Works: 18 years (6 years in each of three cases) and a fine of three lakh taka; default: 18 months.

• Md. Shahid Ullah Khandaker, former Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works: 18 years and a fine of three lakh taka; default: 18 months.

• Kazi Wasi Uddin, former Additional Secretary: 18 years and a fine of three lakh taka; default: 18 months.

• Purabi Goldar, former Senior Assistant Secretary: 3 years (1 year in each of three cases) and a fine of 20,000 taka; default: 3 months.

• Md. Anisur Rahman Miah, former Chairman of RAJUK: 15 years (5 years in each of three cases) and a fine of 1.5 lakh taka; default: 9 months.

• Mohammad Nasir Uddin, former RAJUK Member: 9 years (3 years in each of three cases) and a fine of 60,000 taka; default: 6 months.

• Major (Retd.) Samsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, former RAJUK Member: 9 years and a fine of 60,000 taka; default: 6 months.

• Kabir Al Asad, former RAJUK Member: 3 years and a fine of 20,000 taka; default: 2 months.

• Tanmay Das, former RAJUK Member: 6 years (3 years in each of two cases) and a fine of 40,000 taka; default: 4 months.

• Md. Nurul Islam, former RAJUK Member: 6 years and a fine of 40,000 taka; default: 4 months.

• Sheikh Shahinul Islam, former RAJUK Director: 3 years and a fine of 20,000 taka; default: 2 months.

• Kamrul Islam, former RAJUK Assistant Director: 3 years and a fine of 20,000 taka; default: 2 months.

• Md. Hafizur Rahman, former RAJUK Deputy Director: 1 year and a fine of 5,000 taka; default: 1 month.

• Habibur Rahman Sabuj, former Deputy Director: 1 year and a fine of 5,000 taka; default: 1 month.

• Nayeb Ali Sharif, former RAJUK Deputy Director: 2 years (1 year in each of two cases) and a fine of 10,000 taka; default: 2 months.

• Mazharul Islam, former Assistant Director: 1 year and a fine of 5,000 taka; default: 1 month.

• Khorshed Alam, former RAJUK Member: 3 years (1 year in each of three cases) and a fine of 15,000 taka; default: 3 months.

One accused, Md. Saiful Islam Sarkar, Administrative Officer of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, was acquitted as the charges against him were not proven.

Earlier, on 23 November, after hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun set 27 November for delivering the verdict in all three cases.

The first case was filed on 14 January by ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin against Sheikh Hasina and seven others for obtaining a 10-katha government plot by abusing power. After investigation, a chargesheet against 12 individuals was submitted on 10 March, and 29 witnesses testified in court.

The second case, filed on the same day by ACC Assistant Director S.M. Rashedul Hasan against Sheikh Hasina, Sajib Wazed Joy, and 13 others, involved similar allegations. After investigation, charges were submitted against 17 individuals, and 23 witnesses testified.

The third case was filed on 12 January by ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya against Sheikh Hasina, Saima Wazed Putul, and 14 others over a fraudulent plot allocation. After investigation, charges were filed against 18 individuals, and 28 witnesses testified.

On 31 July, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun framed charges in all three cases and ordered the trial to proceed.