World News
Bangladesh court sentences ex-PM Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail over Purbachal plot allocation
A special court in Dhaka on Sunday sentenced former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to a total of 10 years in prison in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of government land under the Purbachal New Town project.
A special court in Dhaka on Sunday sentenced former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to a total of 10 years in prison in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of government land under the Purbachal New Town project.
In each case, the court awarded a five-year sentence, resulting in a combined 10-year jail term for the former premier.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4.
In the same cases, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq — daughter of Sheikh Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana and a British Member of Parliament — was sentenced to two years in each case, totalling four years in prison. Azmina Siddiq received a seven-year sentence in one case, while Hasina’s son Radwan Mujib Siddiq (Bobby) was also sentenced to seven years.
The cases pertain to the alleged misuse of power in securing the allocation of government plots — including a 20-katha and a 10-katha plot — under the Purbachal New Town housing project in Dhaka.
According to court records, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the cases on January 13, 2025, initially naming 16 individuals. Following investigation, charge sheets were later submitted against 18 accused persons on March 10, 2025.
The prosecution examined 31 witnesses during the trial. Investigation officer and ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya was the final witness to testify before the recording of evidence concluded earlier this month.
The court had earlier fixed February 2 for pronouncement of judgment in both cases after formally framing charges on July 31, 2025, and commencing the trial.
Tulip Siddiq, who currently serves as a British MP and has previously held a ministerial role in the UK, is the niece of Sheikh Hasina.
The convictions come amid significant political changes in Bangladesh. In July 2024, a student-led uprising triggered widespread unrest, following which Hasina left the country on August 5 and sought refuge in India.
Subsequently, an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power and initiated legal proceedings against Hasina, several former cabinet members, and leaders of the Awami League.
