Dhaka. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina has once again been given a legal blow by the special court on Monday. The court has convicted him and sentenced him in the much talked about land scam case related to irregularities in plot allotment in Purbachal New Town Project. Let us tell you here that the special court has convicted a total of three people in the land scam case. Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana (Hasina’s sister), Tulip Rizwana Siddiq (Sheikh Rehana’s daughter and British MP). All three have been convicted in the case of alleged irregularities in plot allotment done by RAJUK.
What is the whole matter?
The case pertains to the Purbachal New Town Project, a mega residential project developed by Rajuk near Dhaka. The allegation in this case was that Hasina and her family used their influence to illegally obtain plots in this high-profile project. The case was under investigation for many years, and recently after completing the examination of testimony and documents, the court pronounced its verdict in the case.
The special court in the capital Dhaka delivered the verdict and found all three accused guilty. The court sentenced him to imprisonment, an official statement regarding its duration is yet to come. Hasina is already facing several legal challenges. Cases of various economic and administrative irregularities are pending against him. Now being convicted in another case weakens his political and legal position.
The matter has come into international headlines due to the inclusion of the name of Tulip Siddiq, who is a Labor Party MP in Britain, in the decision. Discussion on this has also started in British politics and media. Awami League leaders have described the decision as “political vendetta”. He says the opposition government is trying to “weaken” the Hasina family.