A Dhaka court is set to deliver its verdict today in a case filed against 17 people, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and niece Tulip Siddiq, over alleged irregularities in the allocation of a 10-katha plot in the Rajuk Purbachal New Town project.
On 25 November, Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 Judge Robiul Alam fixed 1 December (today) for announcing the judgment following the completion of the arguments by the prosecution and the defence.
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) member Khurshid Alam, the only accused who had surrendered, was produced in court in the morning.
Extra security measures were implemented in the court area ahead of the verdict, with additional police and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel deployed.
The remaining 16 accused are currently absconding.
“We expect the court to hand down the maximum punishment. We have been able to prove the allegations beyond doubt,” said public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam.
Earlier, on 23 November, the court set 25 November for hearing arguments in the case. On that day, the court heard submissions from counsel for accused Khurshid Alam, who pleaded not guilty.
The testimony phase concluded on 18 November with the deposition of investigation officer and ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya. In total, 32 prosecution witnesses testified.
According to the case documents, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin lodged the case on 13 January, 2025, naming 15 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana and Tulip Siddiq. The investigation officer later submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused on 10 March.
Apart from Hasina, Rehana, and Tulip, the other 14 accused in the case include senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and former members of Rajuk. Of them, administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar, senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, additional secretary Oliullah, and secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, personal assistant to a former Rajuk chairman, Md Anichur Rahman Miah, and four former Rajuk members are Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, and Major (retd) Samsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury.
Others are Md Nurul Islam, a former director of Rajuk; Mazharul Islam, a former assistant director; Nayeb Ali Sharif, a former deputy director; Mohammad Salah Uddin, who was private secretary to the prime minister; and Sharif Ahmed, the former state minister for Housing and Public Works.
Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three related cases on 31 July, while Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in three other similar cases the same day.
