A Dhaka court today, 1 December, delivered a verdict in the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) plot allocation irregularity case, sentencing 17 individuals, including key political figures.
Sheikh Rehana (named as the key accused by the ACC): 7 years in prison. Tulip Siddiq (British MP and daughter of Rehana): 2 years in prison. Sheikh Hasina (Ousted Prime Minister): 5 years in prison. Fourteen Others (include former Rajuk and Ministry officials) 5 years in prison each.
All 17 convicted individuals were also fined Tk1 lakh each. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment.
Verdict Reading: Judge Md Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 began reading the verdict at 11:30 am today.
The Case: The case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on 13 January of this year, concerning alleged irregularities in Rajuk plot allocations during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as prime minister.
Accused: The initial case named 15 people, with Rehana as the primary accused, Tulip as the second, and Hasina as the third. The charge sheet later included two more individuals, bringing the total to 17 accused.
Trial Timeline: Charges were framed on 31 July, and the trial formally began. Testimony commenced on 13 August and concluded on 18 November, with 32 witnesses testifying. The verdict date was set on 25 November after the conclusion of arguments.
Current Custody: Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former Rajuk member, is the sole accused currently in custody.
The verdict was delivered amid drastically heightened security in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court area, with strong police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel deployed, checkpoints established, and intensified patrols.
This is one of several corruption charges filed by the ACC. Notably, Sheikh Hasina was previously sentenced on 27 November to a total of 21 years in prison (7 years in each of three separate cases) also related to Rajuk plot allocation irregularities. Furthermore, on 17 November, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity committed during the "July Uprising" last year.
