Rajuk plot scam: Rehana sentenced to 7 years in prison, British MP Tulip 2, Hasina 5

A Dhaka court today (1 December) has sentenced Sheikh Rehana to seven years in prison, her daughter British MP Tulip Siddiq to two years and ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to five years in prison in a case over irregularities in Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) plot allocation.

Sheikh Rehana has also been fined Tk1 lakh and failure to pay will result in six months additional imprisonment. Tulip and Sheikh Hasina have also been fined the same amount with the same penalty upon failure to pay.

Judge Md Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 started reading out the verdict at 11:30am today (1 December), in the case against 17 accused individuals, including the aforementioned three.

Fourteen others who were also accused in the case were sentenced to five years' imprisonment and a fine of Tk1 lakh, which will result in six months' additional imprisonment if failed  to pay.

The verdict reading took place amid drastically heightened security in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court area.

Since this morning, strong police presence and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed, with checkpoints established at court entrances and intensified patrols in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Earlier today, at around 9:30am, Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former member (Estate and Land) of Rajuk, the sole accused currently in custody in this particular case, was brought to court.

The verdict date was set on 25 November, following the conclusion of arguments from both the prosecution and defence before the court.

This case is one of several corruption charges filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) concerning alleged irregular plot allocations during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as prime minister.

Notably, a Dhaka court on 27 November sentenced Hasina to seven years in prison in three corruption cases  – 21 years in total – related to irregularities in Rajuk plot allocations.

Before that, on 17 November, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during last year's July Uprising.

Other accused in the Rajuk plot scam case are former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed, former Ministry of Housing and Public Works senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, former additional secretary Wali Ullah, former additional secretary (administration) Kazi Wasi Uddin, administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar, former Rajuk chairman Md Anisur Rahman Miah, former Rajuk members Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Major (Retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Tanmay Das, Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Md Nurul Islam, former Rajuk assistant director Mazharul Islam, former Rajuk deputy director (Estate and Land-3) Naeb Ali Sharif and Mohammad Salahuddin, former personal secretary to then prime minister-Hasina.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on 13 January this year, naming Rehana as the key accused.

Altogether 15 people were accused, with Tulip being the second accused and Hasina the third.

Later, on 10 March, the ACC submitted a charge sheet including two more individuals. 

On 31 July, charges were framed against all 17 accused, and the trial formally began. 

Testimony started on 13 August and concluded on 18 November, with a total of 32 witnesses testifying. 

Among the accused, Khurshid Alam is currently in prison.