A Dhaka court on Monday (1st December) announced prison sentences for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her niece, British MP Tulip Siddiq, in a corruption case linked to a government housing project. The judgment was delivered by Judge Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge’s Court, marking yet another setback for Hasina, who is currently facing several trials even though she is not in the country.
Court says they misused power and influence
According to reports, the court said Hasina ‘misused her authority when she was the prime minister. Tulip Siddiq was accused of using her influence to help secure a government-allotted land plot for her mother, Sheikh Rehana, and her two siblings. The case details were shared in a report by the Associated Press.
Rehana was claimed to be the main beneficiary of the land scheme. The court sentenced her to seven years in jail and imposed a fine of $813 on her. The same fine was also imposed on Hasina and Siddiq. The court also cancelled the land allotment that had been issued in Rehana’s name.
More people accused in the case
A total of fourteen other people have also been charged in the same case. Prosecutor Khan Mohammed Mainul Hasan said the Anti-Corruption Commission had actually asked for life sentences for the key accused. He expressed disappointment over the shorter terms decided by the court and said the prosecution may explore stronger legal steps in the future.
Tulip Siddiq calls case ‘politically motivated’
Tulip Siddiq, who represents Hampstead and Highgate in the UK Parliament, has rejected all allegations. She earlier said the case was politically driven and based on false claims. She had also stepped down from her ministerial role in Britain earlier this year due to growing criticism over her family’s political troubles.
Hasina, who fled to India after being removed from power following mass protests, has been facing multiple charges. On 17th November, she was given a death sentence in a separate case related to alleged crimes against humanity. On 27th November, she also received a 21-year prison term in three other cases linked to the same housing project. Her son and daughter were given five-year sentences each.
