Plot scam: Verdict in case against Hasina, Azmina, Tulip on Feb 2

A special court yesterday set February 2 to deliver the verdict in a case filed against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 17 others, including her two nieces -- British MP Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq -- over the Purbachal plot scam.

Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge’s Court-4 of Dhaka fixed the date after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence, said Anti-Corruption Commission Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam.

Former housing and public works state minister Sharif Ahmed, former secretary Kazi Washi Uddin, former additional secretary Md Oliullah, former administrative officer Saiful Islam Sarkar, former senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, and Rajuk’s former chairman Anisur Rahman Miah and former members -- Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Shamsuddin Ahmod Chowdhury and Nurul Islam -- as well as incumbent director Kamrul Islam, former deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif and former assistant director Mazharul Islam, and Prime Minister’s Office former secretary Mohammad Salahuddin are among the other accused.

The court also set January 18 for arguments in another graft case against 18 people, including Hasina, Tulip and Hasina’s nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby.

The prosecution said the verdict in the case would be scheduled for delivery after the arguments.

Earlier, Hasina was sentenced to 26 years’ rigorous imprisonment in four graft cases between November 27 and December 1 last year. Her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, sister Sheikh Rehana and niece Tulip were also convicted in one of the four cases each.

Between January 12 and 14 last year, the ACC filed six separate cases with its Dhaka Integrated District Office-1 over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Purbachal New Town project.

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 of Sector-27 of the project for herself, Putul, Joy, Rehana, Bobby and Azmina, despite their ineligibility under existing regulations.

On March 25 last year, the ACC filed six charge sheets with the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court in Dhaka. Hasina was named as a common accused in all six cases.

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