News Flash
DHAKA, Nov 27, 2025 (BSS) - A court here today convicted and sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years imprisonment in three cases lodged over alleged irregularities in allocating 30-katha plots in the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachal.
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 delivered the judgment, fining the former premier Taka one lakh in each case, or ordering her to suffer 18 months more in prison in default.
The court also sentenced her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul to five years imprisonment each in the respective cases filed against them over the plot allocation. Joy and Putul were fined Taka one lakh each, to suffer one month more in default.
The three separate cases involve 47 accused, though the total number of individuals is 23. The court found 22 of them guilty and sentenced them to different jail terms.
The court sentenced former state minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed, former secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, and former additional secretary (Administration) Kazi Wasi Uddin to 18 years imprisonment and fined them Taka three lakh each in the three cases.
Former senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar was sentenced to one year imprisonment in each case and fined Taka 20,000 in total. Former RAJUK chairman Md Anisur Rahman Miah was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and fined Taka 1,50,000 in three cases.
Former RAJUK member (Planning) Mohammad Nasir Uddin and Major (Retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury were sentenced to nine years imprisonment and fined Taka 60,000 each. Former RAJUK member (Administration and Finance) Kabir Al Asad was sentenced to three years in jail and fined Taka 20,000 in one case.
Former RAJUK member (Development Control) Tanmay Das and former member (Estate and Land) Md Nurul Islam were sentenced to six years imprisonment and fined Taka 40,000 each in two cases. Former member (Estate and Land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined Taka 15,000 in three cases.
Former RAJUK director (Estate and Land-2) Sheikh Shahinul Islam and assistant director (Estate and Land-3) Md Kamrul Islam were sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined Taka 20,000 each in one case. Former deputy directors Md Hafizur Rahman and Habibur Rahman were sentenced to one year imprisonment and fined Taka 5,000 each in one case.
Former RAJUK deputy director (Estate and Land-3) Naeb Ali Sharif was sentenced to two years imprisonment in two cases and fined Taka 10,000 in total. Former RAJUK assistant director Mazharul Islam was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fined Taka 5,000 in one case.
Former personal secretary-1 to the ousted prime minister, Mohammad Salahuddin, was sentenced to 12 years rigorous imprisonment and fined Taka two lakh in two cases.
The court, however, acquitted RAJUK administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar.
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun pronounced the judgment in absentia, as none of the convicts have been arrested yet.
The court began reading the judgment at 11:23 am and concluded at 11:40 am, sentencing Sheikh Hasina to seven years in each case, totaling 21 years.
"The plot was allotted to Sheikh Hasina without any application and beyond the legally authorised jurisdiction," the court said in its observation. It further noted that the provision allowing the government to recommend anyone for plot allotment should not be retained.
Earlier on November 23, the court fixed today for delivering the judgment after both prosecution and defence completed their arguments.
According to the case documents, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the first case on January 14, 2025, against eight accused, including Sheikh Hasina, over the alleged irregular allocation of a 10-katha plot in Purbachal. The charge-sheet later named 12 accused.
ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan filed another case against 15 accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy; the charge-sheet later named 17.
A third case was filed on January 12, 2025, by ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya against 16 people, including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul. The charge-sheet later named 18 accused.
The court on July 31, 2025, framed charges in the three cases and issued arrest warrants against the accused. A total of 29 witnesses testified in the cases.
