Dhaka: A court here is scheduled to pronounce judgment tomorrow in a case against 17 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and niece Tulip Siddique, over irregularities in the allocation of a 10-katha plot in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project. Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 on November 25 had fixed December 1 for pronouncing judgment as both the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments in the case on that day.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam expressed confidence in the prosecution's case, stating, "The court is scheduled to pronounce judgment tomorrow and we are hoping the accused would be given maximum punishment. We have successfully proved the allegations against the accused." Previously, on November 23, the court had set November 25 for arguments, hearing submissions from counsel for one of the accused, Khurshid Alam, who pleaded not guilty. The remaining 16 accused are absconding and were tried in absentia.
The court concluded the testimony phase on November 18, with the investigation officer (IO) and ACC assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya providing the final deposition. A total of 32 prosecution witnesses testified in the case. According to the case statement, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case on January 13, 2025, against 15 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, and Tulip Siddique. The IO later submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused on March 10.
Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three related cases on July 31, while Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 on the same day framed charges in three other identical cases.