Plot Allocation Irregularities: Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to 5 years, Rehana 7 And Tulip 2 years in Prison

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk: Sheikh Rehana has been sentenced to seven years in prison by the court for taking a plot allocation in the Rajuk (Capital Development Authority) Purbachal New Town project through abuse of power and forgery, in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). In the same case, her daughter, Tulip Rizwana Siddique, was sentenced to two years in prison. Additionally, the court sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the other accused to five years in prison. The verdict was announced on Monday (1 December) around 11:45 AM by the judge of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4, Md. Robiul Alam.

According to the case allegations, Sheikh Rehana was accused of abusing her power and irregularities to obtain a 10-katha plot in the Purbachal New Town project. The case was filed on 13 January by ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin. Sheikh Rehana, Tulip Rizwana Siddique, Sheikh Hasina, and 12 others—totaling 15 individuals—were named as defendants.

After further investigation, two more accused were added, bringing the total to 17, against whom a charge sheet was filed on 10 March.

Other accused in the case include administrative officer Md. Saiful Islam of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Senior Assistant Secretary Purbi Goldar, Additional Secretary Oliullah, Secretary Kazi Wazi Uddin, former RAJUK Chairman’s Personal Assistant Md. Anisur Rahman Miah, former member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Major (Eng.) Samsuddin Ahmad Chowdhury (Retd.), former Director Md. Nurul Islam, Assistant Director Mazharul Islam, Deputy Director Nayeb Ali Sharif, and later two more accused—former Prime Minister’s Private Secretary-1 Md. Salah Uddin and former State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed.

On 31 July, the judge of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4, Robiul Alam, framed charges against the accused in three cases and ordered the start of the trial. A total of 32 witnesses testified in court during the trial.

After the verdict, ACC Public Prosecutor Moinul Hasan, who coordinated the case, stated, “We were able to prove the allegations against the accused based on all the evidence and testimonies.”