A Dhaka court on Thursday handed prison sentences to ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul in three corruption cases over the illegal allocation of 30 kathas of government land in the Purbachal New City Project.
Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in each of the three cases, totalling 21 years. Several other accused were also given varying prison terms.
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-5 delivered the verdict in the afternoon.
The three cases involve a total of 47 accused, with 23 individuals named across them. The first case lists 12 accused, including Sheikh Hasina; the second lists 17 accused, including Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy; and the third lists 18 accused, including Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul.
The verdict date was fixed on Sunday after the court heard arguments from the only accused in custody — former Rajuk (Estate and Land) member Mohammad Khurshid Alam. The remaining accused, including Sheikh Hasina and her family members, are absconding and did not present arguments in their defence.
