A Bangladesh court has delivered a significant verdict against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, sentencing the ousted leader to 21 years in prison in three separate corruption cases. The ruling adds another layer to the ongoing political drama surrounding the 78-year-old former premier who currently resides in India.
The Court Verdict and Sentencing Details
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 pronounced the judgment on Thursday, sentencing Sheikh Hasina to seven years imprisonment in each of three corruption cases related to the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachal. The judge clarified that the sentences would run consecutively, totaling 21 years of prison time for the former leader.
In addition to the prison terms, the court imposed financial penalties on Hasina, fining her Taka one lakh in each case. The judgment specified that failure to pay these fines would result in an additional 18 months of imprisonment. The corruption cases centered around irregularities in land allocations within a government housing project near the capital.
Family Members Also Sentenced
The legal repercussions extended beyond Sheikh Hasina to include her immediate family members. The court sentenced Hasina's son, Sajib Wajed Joy, and daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, to five years imprisonment each in the same housing project cases. Both children received fines of Taka one lakh each, with an additional month of prison time stipulated if they fail to pay the penalties.
Judge Mamun explicitly stated during the judgment delivery that "the plot was allotted to Sheikh Hasina without any application and in a manner that exceeded the legally authorised jurisdiction," highlighting the fundamental legal violations that formed the basis of the corruption charges.
Political Context and International Implications
This corruption verdict comes just ten days after another court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for "crimes against humanity" related to her government's brutal crackdown on student-led protests last year. The former prime minister has consistently maintained that all charges against her are "biased and politically motivated."
Currently, Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August 5 last year, when she fled Bangladesh following massive protests that ended her Awami League's 16-year rule. A Bangladeshi court had previously declared her a fugitive, and the country's interim government has formally requested her extradition from India.
India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it has received the extradition request and is currently examining it. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that New Delhi remains committed to "the best interest of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country" while the judicial process continues.
Legal Complexities and Future Implications
The recent 21-year prison sentence does not nullify Hasina's earlier death penalty conviction. Under Bangladeshi law, separate convictions for different offenses don't automatically cancel harsher penalties. The death sentence for crimes against humanity and the prison term for corruption cases exist as independent legal judgments.
Bangladesh has experienced significant political turmoil since the end of Hasina's administration, with most Awami League leaders either detained or having fled the country. The United Nations reports that up to 1,400 people were killed in crackdowns during Hasina's final days in power as she attempted to maintain control.
With campaigning for elections scheduled for February 2026 already marred by violence, the verdict against the former prime minister adds another volatile element to Bangladesh's increasingly complex political landscape. The international community continues to watch closely as the situation develops, particularly regarding India's response to the extradition request.
