Staff Reporter:
A Dhaka court to pronounce judgment today in a case against 17 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and niece Tulip Siddique, over irregularities in the allocation of a 10-katha plot in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project.
Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 on November 25 had fixed December 1 for pro-nouncing judgment as both the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments in the case on that day.
“The court is scheduled to pronounce judgment today and we are hoping the accused would be given maximum punishment. We have successfully proved the allegations against the accused,” said Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor Mir Ahammed Salam.
Earlier on November 23, the court had fixed November 25 for placing arguments in the case. The court on that day had heard submissions from counsel for one of the accused, Khurshid Alam, who pleaded not guilty. The remaining 16 accused are absconding and were tried in absentia.
The court on November 18 concluded the testimony phase of the trial as investigation officer (IO) and ACC assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya wrapped up her deposition. A total of 32 prosecution witness-es testified in the case.
According to the case statement, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed the case on January 13, 2025, against 15 people, including Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana and Tulip Siddique. The IO later sub-mitted a charge sheet against 17 accused on March 10.
Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 framed charges in three such cases on July 31, while Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 on the same day framed charges in three other identical cases.
