Rajuk plot scam verdict today: What Hasina, Rehana and Tulip are accused of
Judge Md Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 is expected to announce the verdict at around 11am.
A Dhaka court will deliver its verdict today (1 December) in a corruption case filed against 17 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and Rehana's daughter British MP Tulip Siddiq, over alleged irregularities in Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) plot allocation.
Judge Md Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 is expected to announce the verdict at around 11am.
On 25 November, the judge set the date for the verdict after the completion of arguments from both the state and the defence.
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Allegations against Rehana, Tulip and Hasina
Sheikh Rehana
Rehana allegedly concealed in her affidavit that she or her family already owned a house or flat in Dhaka.
She is accused of violating the allocation laws, rules and procedures of the Purbachal New Town Project.
The charge sheet states she influenced her sister Hasina and applied for a plot without formally applying through Rajuk.
She allegedly grabbed government land, securing a 10-katha plot.
Tulip Siddiq
Tulip allegedly learned that her aunt Hasina was securing 10-katha plots in Purbachal for herself and her children, Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul.
Using her influence as a British MP, she allegedly persuaded Hasina to secure plots in the names of her mother Rehana, sister Azmina Siddiq Ruponti and brother Radwan Mujib Siddiq.
Sheikh Hasina
During her tenure as prime minister, Hasina allegedly violated multiple clauses of the Dhaka Improvement Trust (Allotment of Land) Rules, 1969, while approving plot allocation in favour of Rehana.
She is accused of abusing power, financially benefitting her family and, together with PS Salahuddin, destroying documents to evade legal consequences.
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.
