Dhaka: A Dhaka court is poised to deliver its verdict today in three significant cases involving 47 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul. These cases pertain to alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam, representing the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), expressed confidence in the conviction of all accused. Salam stated that the prosecution had effectively demonstrated the allegations through witness testimonies and documentary evidence. He anticipates that the court will impose the maximum sentence of life imprisonment on the accused.
The decision by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 follows the completion of arguments from both the prosecution and defense. The court had earlier decided to frame charges against the accused in three of the six cases on July 31, issuing arrest warrants. The remaining cases were assigned to Dhaka Special Judge Court-4.
These cases were forwarded to the trial courts by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib on July 20, after repeated summons were ignored by the accused. A gazette notification was issued earlier on July 1, summoning 100 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
The ACC filed the six cases in January 2025, with the charge-sheets submitted by March 10. The cases, initiated by ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin and Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan, involve allegations of irregular plot allocations in Purbachal, with various political figures named in the charge-sheets.
The outcome of these cases could have extensive implications, given the high-profile nature of those accused and the historical significance of the allegations.