Hasina sentenced to 21-year in 3 plot scam cases

A court here today convicted and sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 21-year imprisonment in three cases lodged over alleged irregularities in allocating 30-katha plots in Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.

Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 pronounced the judgment in absence of the convict as she is yet to be arrested and was tried in absentia.

The court began reading the judgment at 11:23 am and concluded at 11:40 am, sentencing Hasina to seven years in each case, totaling 21 years in prison, reports BSS. 

"The plot was allotted to Sheikh Hasina without any application and in a manner that exceeded the legally authorised jurisdiction," the court observed in its judgment.

Earlier, Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 on November 23 fixed today for delivering the judgment, after both the prosecution and defence completed their arguments on that day.

According to the case documents, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case on January 14, 2025, against eight accused, including Sheikh Hasina, over the alleged irregular allocation of a 10-katha plot in Purbachal. 

A charge-sheet in this case later named 12 accused.

ACC Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan filed another case against 15 accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy; the charge-sheet later named 17.

On January 12, 2025, ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya filed the case against 16 people, including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul. Keya later filed the charge sheet in the case against 18 accused.

The court on July 31, 2025, framed charges in these three cases and issued arrest warrants for the accused. A total of 29 witnesses testified in the case.