A court has sentenced Sheikh Rehana to seven years in rigorous imprisonment for allegedly abusing power and forgery in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for allegedly obtaining a plot in the Purbachal New Town project of the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK). Her daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddique has been sentenced to two years in rigorous imprisonment in the same case. In addition, the court has sentenced 15 accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to five years in prison each.

The court also imposed a fine of one lakh taka on each accused, failing which they would face six months of rigorous imprisonment.

Judge Md. Rabiul Alam of Dhaka's Special Judge's Court-4 announced the verdict on Monday (December 1) at around 12:15 pm.

The others convicted are: Administrative Officer of the Ministry of National Housing and Public Works Md. Saiful Islam Sarkar, Senior Assistant Secretary Purabi Golder, Additional Secretary Oliullah, Secretary Kazi Washi Uddin, PA of former RAJUK Chairman Md. Anisur Rahman Miah, former members Md. Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, Md. Nasir Uddin, Major (Engineer) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (retd.), former Director Md. Nurul Islam, Assistant Director Mazharul Islam, Deputy Director Nayeb Ali Sharif, former Prime Minister's Private Secretary-1 Md. Salah Uddin and former State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed.

Among them, Khurshid Alam is in jail after being arrested. The court has issued a warrant for his arrest as the rest are absconding.

Prosecutor Tariqul Islam appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), while lawyer Shahinur Rahman appeared for Khurshid Alam.

It is learned that ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin filed a case against Sheikh Rehana on January 13 this year on charges of misusing power and obtaining a 10-katha plot in the Purbachal New City Project through irregularities. After the investigation, the investigation officer, ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya, filed a charge sheet against 17 people in the court on March 10. On July 31, the same court framed charges against the accused and ordered the trial to begin. Testimonies of 32 people were taken during the trial.