A Dhaka court will deliver verdicts on 27 November in three separate cases over alleged corruption in securing Rajuk’s Purbachal plots against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul.
Judge Md Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5 fixed the date on Sunday hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
Ariful Islam, a court assistant, said the verdict date was scheduled following the completion of arguments in the three cases.
Mainul Hasan, counsel for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said, “We have sought the maximum punishment for the accused. If the charges are proven in these three cases, the highest penalty is life imprisonment.”
Lawyer Md Shahinur Islam presented the defence arguments on behalf of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) member Khorhshed Alam, the only accused currently in custody.
The remaining accused, including Sheikh Hasina, Joy and Putul, are absconding and were therefore unable to present arguments in court.
Earlier, on 17 November, the court completed recording testimonies in the cases. Of the three cases, one lists 12 accused, another 17, and the third 18. Several of the accused have been named in all three.
In addition, three other cases against Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq and daughter Azmina Siddiq are pending at Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4. Hasina and Tulip Siddiq have also been named accused in these cases.
If Sheikh Hasina and her family members are convicted, they will be barred from contesting the upcoming national election under existing law. Hasina is already ineligible to run, as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced her to death in a case involving crimes against humanity and genocide.
“Six cases against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members are currently under trial. The proceedings have advanced significantly through the recording of witness testimonies. Witness statements have brought forward specific allegations against the accused,” ACC counsel Mainul Hasan said.
“We expect the judicial process to conclude soon,” he added.
According to the charge sheets in the Purbachal plot corruption cases, Hasina and her relatives abused their entrusted powers while occupying the highest office of the government. Despite being ineligible, they allegedly secured six plots — each measuring 10 kathas — on Road 203 in Sector 27 of the Purbachal New Town project, with dishonest intent.
Under Rajuk regulations, only those who do not own any land, house or car in Dhaka are eligible to apply for plot allocation. However, the charge sheets state that Hasina’s family submitted false affidavits to Rajuk, claiming they owned no land or property in the capital.
The ACC alleges that they used their influence to obtain 60 kathas of land from Rajuk, which constitutes a criminal offence.
The ACC filed the cases in January this year over the alleged irregularities in the plot allocations.
On 31 July, two Dhaka special judge courts framed charges against 23 people — including members of the families of Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana — in these cases.
Among the other notable accused are: Shahid Ullah Khandaker, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Kazi Wasi Uddin, additional secretary (administristration); Saiful Islam Sarker, administrative officer; senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar; former Rajuk chairman Anisur Rahman Mia; former Rajuk member (estate and land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam; member (administration and finance) Kabir Al Asad; member (development control) Tanmoy Das; member (estate and land) Nurul Islam; former member (planning) Mohammad Nasir Uddin; former member Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury; director (estate and land-2) Sheikh Shahinul Islam; deputy director Hafizur Rahman; Habibur Rahman; former state minister Sharif Ahmed; and former prime minister’s principal secretary Salauddin.
