Rehana gets 7 years, Hasina 5 and Tulip 2 in Purbachal plot scam case

Bangla Press Desk:    A Dhaka court on Monday sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to five years imprisonment, her sister Sheikh Rehana to seven and Rehana's daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq to two years imprisonment over the Purbachal plot allocation scam case. 

The court also imposed a Tk1 lakh fine against 17 individuals linked to alleged irregularities in plot allocations under the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project. 

Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 delivered the verdict as they found guilty under section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and under section 109 of the penal code.

This marks the fourth verdict against her since Hasina fled the country on 5 August 2024 following the mass uprising that ended her rule. 

The other accused in the case also handed down 5 years imprisonment each with Tk1 lakh fine. They are-- former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed, former secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, former additional secretary Oliullah, ex-senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, former administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar, former RAJUK chairman’s personal assistant Md Anichur Rahman Miah, former members Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin and Major (retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, former director Md Nurul Islam, ex-deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif and former assistant director Mazharul Islam, and Hasina’s former private secretary Mohammad Salah Uddin.

Former Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) officials Khurshid Alam was present during the verdict announcement.

Earlier on 27 November, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 sentenced Sheikh Hasina to 21 years’ imprisonment in another three identical cases.  The court also handed down prison terms to 20 other accused, including Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Sayma Wazed Putul, after finding them guilty of illegally obtaining government plots despite being ineligible.

ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case on 13 January this year, and a charge sheet against 17 accused was submitted on 10 March. The court concluded the testimony phase on 18 November, during which 32 prosecution witnesses testified. Earlier on 27 November, Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 sentenced Hasina to 21 years’ imprisonment in three other identical cases.

The court also handed down prison terms to 20 other accused, including Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul, after finding them guilty of illegally obtaining government plotsThe ACC filed six cases between 12 and 14 January this year, accusing members of the Sheikh family and several government and RAJUK officials of irregularities in allocating plots in the Purbachal New Town Project.

On 1 July, the court ordered a gazette notification summoning around 100 accused persons across the six cases. On 31 July, charges were formally framed and arrest warrants issued for those absconding.

BP/SP