Security has been tightened around the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court ahead of Thursday’s verdict in three corruption cases against ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul and 20 others over alleged fraudulent allocations in the Purbachal New City project.
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court 5 is scheduled to deliver the verdict on Thursday.
A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) team has been posted at the main gate of the court complex since morning, while army personnel have also been deployed in the area, officials said.
The date for the verdict was set after closing arguments were presented on behalf of the only accused currently in custody, former Rajuk member (Estate and Land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam, who was arrested on Sunday.
Arguments were not presented for the remaining accused, including Sheikh Hasina and her family members, as they have been absconding and did not appear for self-defence hearings.
The three cases involve 23 accused in total. The first case lists 12 accused including Sheikh Hasina; the second lists 17 accused including Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy; and the third lists 18 accused including Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul.
On January 14, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed six cases alleging abuse of power to secure plot allocations in the Purbachal New City project. The six cases name 47 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, seven members of her family and several government officials. Verdicts in the remaining three cases are expected on December 1.
Other accused from the Sheikh family include Sheikh Rehana’s children — UK MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq.
After the cases were filed, ACC investigation officer Afnan Jannat Keya was assigned to lead the probe. She submitted charge sheets in the three cases on March 10 against 23 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, her son, daughter and former Rajuk official Khurshid Alam. Charges were framed on July 31.
Following the framing of charges, Sheikh Hasina, her family members and several officials stopped appearing before the court and have since been treated as absconders. Arrest warrants have been issued against them. Khurshid Alam surrendered on October 29 and has since been the only accused in custody.
The court recorded testimony from 79 witnesses, including the investigation officer, across the three cases. The prosecution sought to establish the corruption charges through documents and witness statements, while defence lawyers questioned the investigation methods and argued that Khurshid Alam acted under orders as a government official.
Closing arguments were heard between November 17 and 20. The prosecution sought maximum punishment for the accused, saying the allegations were proven, while the defence claimed the cases were motivated.
According to the charge sheet, Sheikh Hasina and her family allegedly abused their authority during her tenure as prime minister to secure three 10-katha plots — totalling 30 kathas — on Road 203, Sector 27 of the Purbachal project, despite being ineligible for the allotments.
