Judgment in the plot allocation scam case against Hasina, Rehana, and Tulip will be delivered today

A Dhaka court is scheduled to deliver its verdict today in a case against 17 individuals — including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and niece Tulip Siddique — over alleged irregularities in the allocation of a 10-katha plot in RAJUK’s Purbachal New Town Project.

Proceedings are set to begin at 10:30am.

Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 fixed December 1 for pronouncing the judgment on November 25, after both prosecution and defence completed their arguments.

Security around the court has been strengthened ahead of the verdict.

Speaking on November 30, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam said the prosecution is expecting the maximum sentence, claiming they had “successfully proved the allegations.”

Earlier, on November 23, the court set November 25 for hearing arguments. On that day, counsel for accused Khurshid Alam presented his submissions, pleading not guilty. The remaining 16 accused, all absconding, were tried in absentia.

The court completed the testimony phase on November 18 after the investigation officer, ACC assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya, concluded her deposition. In total, 32 prosecution witnesses testified.

According to case documents, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case on January 13, 2025, against 15 people, including Hasina, Rehana, and Siddique. The charge sheet was later submitted against 17 accused on March 10.

The other accused include former state minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed; former senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar; former additional secretaries Wali Ullah and Kazi Wasi Uddin; administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar; former RAJUK chairman Md Anisur Rahman Miah; former RAJUK members Mohammad Nasir Uddin and Major (Retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury; Tanmay Das; Mohammad Khurshid Alam; Md Nurul Islam; former RAJUK assistant director Mazharul Islam; former RAJUK deputy director Naeb Ali Sharif; and Mohammad Salahuddin, former personal secretary-1 to the ousted prime minister.

Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three similar cases on July 31, while Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 framed charges in three other related cases the same day.