Former Bangladesh PM Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison
A court in Bangladesh has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to a total of 21 years in prison in three separate corruption cases. The cases are related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of land for a government housing project.
Details of the Court Verdict and Sentencing
The judgment was passed on Thursday by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-5. The 78-year-old former leader was sentenced to seven years in each of the three cases concerning the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachal. The judge specified that these sentences are to be served consecutively, adding up to the 21-year term.
In addition to the prison time, the court imposed a fine of Taka one lakh in each case. Failure to pay this fine will result in an additional 18 months of imprisonment for each default.
The legal net also extended to Hasina's family. Her son, Sajib Wajed Joy, and her daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, were each sentenced to five years in prison in the same cases. They were also fined Taka one lakh each, with an extra month in jail if they fail to pay.
Judge Mamun, while reading the verdict, stated a key finding of the court: "The plot was allotted to Sheikh Hasina without any application and in a manner that exceeded the legally authorised jurisdiction."
Broader Legal Context and Fallout
This conviction comes just ten days after another tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for "crimes against humanity". That charge stemmed from her government's crackdown on student-led protests the previous year.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year, has consistently denied all charges, labeling them as "biased and politically motivated". She was earlier declared a fugitive by a court.
The legal proceedings involved other officials as well. Alongside the Hasina family, 20 other individuals, including former junior minister for housing Sharif Ahmed, were tried. All except one, a junior ministry officer, were sentenced to varying prison terms.
The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed six cases between January 12 and 14, with charge-sheets submitted on March 10. A total of 29 witnesses testified during the trials.
Political Repercussions and Extradition Question
The political landscape in Bangladesh has been dramatically altered since the collapse of the Hasina regime. Most leaders of her Awami League party have either been arrested or have fled the country.
A major point of international attention now is the issue of extradition. Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser, M Touhid Hossain, has stated that the interim government expects a response from New Delhi on its request for Hasina's extradition. He emphasized that the "situation is different now" with the judicial process concluded and a conviction secured.
India has acknowledged the request, stating it is "examining" the matter and is committed to ensuring the best interests of the people of Bangladesh. Security was notably tightened in and around the court complex in Dhaka ahead of this landmark verdict.
