A special court in Bangladesh on Sunday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to a total of 10 years in prison in two separate corruption cases linked to alleged irregularities in the allocation of government land under the Purbachal New Town project.
The verdicts were delivered by the Dhaka-4 Special Judge, who found Hasina guilty of abusing her position in connection with the allocation of 20 kathas in the capital. In any case, she was given five years in prison, to be served consecutively.
British MP Tulip Siddiq and other family members are also convicted
In the same rulings, the court sentenced Tulip Siddiq, a British MP and niece of Sheikh Hasina, to four years in prison — two years in each case. Tulip Siddiq is the daughter of Sheikh Rehana and a former minister in the United Kingdom.
Azmina Siddiq was sentenced to seven years in prison in one of the cases, while Sheikh Hasina’s son, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, also known as Bobby, received a seven-year sentence.
The sentences were pronounced by Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka-4 Special Court.
Cases originate from Purbachal New Town land allocation
The prosecution relates to allegations that senior politicians misused their power to secure residential land under the government’s Purbachal New Town housing project.
One case related to alleged irregular allotment of land worth 20 katha, while the other related to separate allotment of land worth 10 katha. The Anti-Corruption Commission (AKC) filed both cases on January 13, 2025, according to court records, initially naming 16 defendants in each case.
After an investigation, the ACC filed an indictment on March 10, 2025, expanding the list of accused in both cases to 18 people.
Long trial and testimony
The court closed the recording of statements at the beginning of January this year after hearing evidence from a total of 31 witnesses. Investigating Officer and ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya appeared as the last witness for the prosecution and was subsequently cross-examined by the defence.
In one of the cases, on July 31, 2025, the court issued formal charges and ordered a trial. Sentencing dates in both cases were set earlier this year and culminated in Sunday’s verdicts.
Political background: Hasina’s ouster and interim government
The conviction comes against a backdrop of dramatic political change in Bangladesh. In July 2024, a student-led uprising swept across the country, sparking widespread unrest. On 5 August 2024, Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh and sought refuge in India.
After her departure, an interim administration was established under the leadership of Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. The caretaker government subsequently launched a series of legal actions against Hasina, former cabinet members and leaders and activists associated with the Awami League.