Staff Reporter :
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has voiced disappointment over the 21-year prison sentence handed to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in three corruption cases tied to irregularities in plot allocations under Rajuk’s Purbachal New Town Project.
Prosecutors said the sentences fell short of what they had sought, and signaled that the commission may move to appeal.
Reacting to the verdict, state counsel for the ACC, Md Moinul Hasan,
said: “We had expected the maximum punishment for Hasina and the others, but we did not get that. After discussions with the commission, we will decide whether to appeal.”
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 delivered the verdict at noon on Thursday. Hasina was sentenced to seven years in each of the three cases, for a total of 21 years, along with fines amounting to Tk3 lakh.
In default of payment, she must serve an additional 18 months’ simple imprisonment.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, were each sentenced to five years in prison and fined Tk1 lakh, with six months’ simple imprisonment in default.
In all, 21 individuals — including the former prime minister and her two children — received varying prison terms.
Housing and Public Works Ministry official Saiful Islam Sarkar was acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence against him.
ACC lawyers expressed frustration that several key charges had not been upheld.
State counsel Sultan Mahmud said: “The court stated that the charges under Penal Code sections 161, 163, 164, 409, 420 and 109 were not proven against Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul.
They were sentenced only under section 5(2) of the ACC Act.” He added: “As for Hasina, the charges under sections 161, 409 and 109 were not proven either.
Only Penal Code section 420 and ACC Act section 5(2) were proven. We are dissatisfied with this verdict.”
ACC officials had earlier indicated they would seek the maximum punishment for all those convicted, citing what they described as a comprehensive body of witness testimony and documentary evidence.
Among all the defendants sentenced in the three cases, only one — former Rajuk member (Estate and Land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam — is currently in custody.
He received three years in prison, one year in each case.
Speaking to journalists from the dock, Khurshid said: “I am innocent in this case.
I did not receive justice. I will decide on filing an appeal after consulting my lawyer.”
The verdicts stem from three of six corruption cases filed by the ACC in January, alleging that Sheikh Hasina abused her power to secure illegal plot allocations for herself, her children and associates by concealing information and violating Rajuk procedures.
Charges were framed in these three cases on 31 July, initiating the trial that culminated in Wednesday’s judgment.
With ACC prosecutors now signaling potential appeals, the legal and political fallout from the Purbachal plot scam cases appears far from over.
