Purbachal plot scam: Verdict on cases against Hasina, Tulip, Azmina, Radwan tomorrow

A Dhaka court is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow (2 February) in two corruption cases over alleged irregularities in Purbachal plot allocation by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), involving ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her nieces Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq and nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, among others.

Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-4 will announce the verdicts in the two separate cases. Although charge sheets list 36 accused in total, the number of individuals involved stands at 22, as several defendants appear in both cases.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Tarikul Islam confirmed the development, saying the prosecution had successfully proven the charges against the accused.

"We have been able to establish the allegations with evidence. We hope the court will hand down the maximum punishment in both cases," he said.

The first case was filed on 13 January last year by ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya against Azmina Siddiq, accusing her of abusing power and committing irregularities to obtain a 10-katha plot under the Purbachal New Town Project. The case names Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and 13 others as accused.

Following the investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on 10 March last year against 18 accused, adding two more names to the list.

On the same day, a separate case was filed against Radwan Mujib Siddiq by ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan on similar charges of abusing power to secure a 10-katha plot in the same project. Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and 13 others were also named as accused in this case. After investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on 10 March against 18 accused.

Other accused in the cases include senior officials of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, former Rajul chairmen and directors, additional secretaries, assistant secretaries, and political figures, including former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed.

The court fixed 2 February for delivering the verdict after concluding arguments in the Azmina Siddiq case on 13 January and in the Radwan Mujib Siddiq case on 18 January. 

According to the prosecution, the accused concealed ownership of houses, flats or other residential facilities in the city and, through collusion, violated laws, rules and policies governing plot allocation. The charge alleges that Hasina abused her highest executive authority to influence officials involved in the Purbachal project.

The accused allegedly allocated 10-katha plots in their own names in Sector-27 of the Purbachal New Town Project with the intention of unlawfully benefiting themselves and others.

The offences were brought under Sections 161, 163, 164, 409, 420 and 109 of the Penal Code, 1860, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to a total of 26 years' imprisonment in four separate cases related to corruption in Purbachal plot allocation, while other accused also received varying jail terms.