Purbachal plot scam: ACC to seek Interpol's help to bring back Hasina, Rehana, Tulip
The judge explained that while the law allows for the trial of a Bangladeshi citizen regardless of their location, the provision for appointing a defence lawyer for an absconding accused exists only in cases involving a capital offence
A lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed plans to seek assistance from Interpol and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring back the high-profile convicts in a Rajuk plot allocation corruption case, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq.
Lawyer Khan Md Moinul Hasan's announcement came shortly after Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 today (1 December) sentenced Hasina to five years, Rehana to seven years and Tulip to two years in prison for corruption.
Judge Md Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 also imposed a fine of Tk1 lakh on Hasina, Rehana and Tulip. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment for each convict.
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The court also handed down five-year prison sentences to the remaining 14 co-accused in the case.
ACC dissatisfied
Speaking after the verdict, Moinul expressed dissatisfaction with the length of the sentences.
"We will discuss the verdict with the ACC and then announce our reaction. The verdict was not as per our expectation. We sought the maximum punishment, which was life imprisonment."
Regarding the process of repatriating the convicts, Moinul talked about the next steps. "We will seek Interpol's assistance to bring back the accused who are fugitives in different countries."
He specifically mentioned Tulip's dual citizen status, "Tulip is a Bangladeshi citizen on one hand and a British citizen on the other. We will inform the foreign ministry to bring her back. We will complete all the necessary procedures under Bangladeshi law through the government."
Earlier, in his judicial observation before announcing the sentencing, Judge Md Robiul Alam delivered a stern message against graft saying, "Almighty Allah has mentioned in the Holy Quran, do not cooperate with one another in sin and transgression."
The judge stressed the severity of the issue, stating that corruption has become a disease that has plagued the entire society. He called upon citizens to resist and stand up against corruption in society.
No capital offence equals no defence lawyer
In his observations, the judge addressed why the 16 absconding accused were not provided with legal representation, noting that only Mohammad Khurshid Alam, former member (Estate and Land) of Rajuk, was present during the verdict.
The judge explained that while the law allows for the trial of a Bangladeshi citizen regardless of their location, the provision for appointing a defence lawyer for an absconding accused exists only in cases involving a capital offence (punishable by death).
Since the charges against the accused in this particular case do not involve any capital offence, there is no scope to appoint a defence lawyer for the absconding individuals, he added.
Referencing decisions from the higher courts, the judge noted that in criminal cases, an accused must first surrender and submit to the judicial process before claiming the right to a fair trial or other legal benefits.
