Dhaka: A Dhaka court is set to deliver its verdict today in a high-profile case concerning the alleged misuse of power to secure a 10-katha government plot in the Purbachal area. The case implicates Sheikh Hasina, her niece UK MP Tulip Siddiq, and 16 other individuals.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the verdict was scheduled by Judge Rabiul Alam of the Dhaka 4th Special Judge Court, following a petition hearing on January 18. Khurshid Alam’s lawyer, one of the accused, has sought acquittal for his client. The case is one of six filed in connection with the Rajuk plot scam involving Sheikh Hasina and her family members.
Among the accused are Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, her daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, and son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby. On November 27 of the previous year, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to 21 years in jail in three cases related to irregularities in plot allocation by Rajuk.
The court, on December 1, handed different jail terms to Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter, British MP Tulip Siddiq, over another case of power misuse concerning the same Purbachal plot. Charges against the accused were framed on July 31 of the last year.
In total, Sheikh Hasina faces 26 years in jail from four cases linked to the plot scam, whereas her son Joy and daughter Putul received five-year sentences. Sheikh Rehana and her daughter Tulip were given varying jail terms. The case, filed by ASM Rashedul Hasan, assistant director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), accused 16 individuals of securing the Purbachal plot through power abuse and procedural irregularities.