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alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Purbachal New Town project, where Hasina was named as a common accused.

The anti-graft body alleged that Hasina, in collusion with senior Rajuk officials, unlawfully secured six plots, each measuring 10 kathas, in the diplomatic zone (Sector 27) of the Purbachal New Town project for herself, Putul, Joy, Rehana, Azmina and Bobby, despite their ineligibility under existing regulations.

On July 31 last year, charges were framed against 29 people, including Hasina, Rehana, Joy, Putul, Bobby, Tulip and Azmina, in their respective cases.

Yesterday’s rulings follow a series of legal blows for Hasina.

On November 17 last year, she was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 for crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July uprising.

Ousted on August 5, 2024, amid a student-led mass movement, she remains accused in over 550 cases nationwide, excluding the corruption charges.

OTHER CONVICTS

Apart from Hasina and her three family members, 18 others were also convicted yesterday under section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for committing criminal misconduct while allotting plots for Azmina and Bobby.

Of the 18, the court sentenced the 11 accused to 10 years’ imprisonment and fined Tk 2 lakhs each in two cases, with an additional one-year imprisonment in the event of default.

The 11 include former housing and public works state minister Sharif Ahmed, former secretary Kazi Washi Uddin, former administrative officer Saiful Islam Sarkar and former senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar; Rajuk’s former chairman Anisur Rahman Miah, former members Tanmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin and Shamsuddin Ahmod Chowdhury, former deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif and former assistant director Mazharul Islam, and the Prime Minister’s Office’s former secretary Mohammad Salahuddin.

In addition, former housing and public works secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker, former additional secretary Md Oliullah, Rajuk’s former member Nurul Islam, incumbent director Kamrul Islam, former director Sheikh Shahinul Islam and former assistant director Faria Sultana were jailed for five years in one of the two cases.

The court also fined them Tk 1 lakh each; in default, they will have to serve six more months in jail.

Only Rajuk’s former member Mohammad Khurshid Alam was present at the packed courtroom during the verdicts. He was sentenced to two years in jail in two cases and fined Tk 2 lakhs; defaulting, he will have to serve one year’s imprisonment.

His lawyer, Mohammad Shaheenoor Islam, said that they would challenge the judgements at the higher court.