30309

11/26/2025

Verdict in case against British MP Tulip on Dec 1

Staff Correspondent | Published: 2025-11-26 13:37:53

A Dhaka court has fixed Dec 1 to deliver its verdict in an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana's daughter and British MP Tulip Siddiq, and 17 others on charges of fraud in allocating plots under the Purbachal New Town Project.

Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka's Special Judge's Court set the date for the verdict on Tuesday after both sides concluded their arguments, ACC lawyer Tariqul Islam said.

The other defendants are former state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed, former senior assistant secretary of the Ministry of National Housing and Public Works Purabi Golder, former additional secretary Wali Ullah, secretary Kazi Washi Uddin, RAJUK's former chairman Anisur Rahman Miah, and former members Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Tonmoy Das, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Shamsuddin Ahmed Chwdhury, former deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif, former personal secretary to the prime minister Mohammad Salah Uddin and former state minister of housing and public works Sharif Ahmed

Among the accused, Khurshid is in jail, while the others are absconding and as such, they could not plead their innocence or present arguments on their behalf.

Prosecutor Tariqul presented arguments on behalf of the ACC on Tuesday. He sought life in prison as the maximum sentence for the accused.

Advocate Shahinur Rahman presented arguments on behalf of Khurshid, petitioning for his acquittal while claiming that the charges against him were not proven.

After hearing both sides, the court scheduled the verdict for Dec 1.

The ACC filed six cases against Hasina, her sister Rehana and their children in January on charges of corruption in plot allocation. Hasina was named as a suspect in all six cases.

The case against Rehana was filed by ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin on Jan 13. It was alleged that she was allotted a 10-katha plot of land in the Purbachal New Town project through "abuse of power and irregularities".

After an investigation, investigating officer ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya filed a chargesheet against 17 people on Mar 10.

On Jul 31, charges were framed against the accused and the case went to trial. During the trial, the court heard the testimony of 32 people.

Of the six cases, the verdicts in three cases against Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul has already been set for Nov 27.

Two more cases against Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and daughter Azmina Siddique are in the final stages of recording testimony.


Editor & Publisher : Md. Motiur Rahman

Pritam-Zaman Tower, Level 03, Suite No: 401/A, 37/2 Bir Protik Gazi Dastagir Road, Purana Palton, Dhaka-1000
Cell : (+88) 01706 666 716, (+88) 01711 145 898, Phone: +88 02-41051180-81