Bangladesh Court Sentences Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina to 21 Years in 3 Corruption Cases

Court orders seven-year term per case for Hasina in Purbachal plot-allocation scam; her son and daughter also convicted.

What the Verdict Says

A court in Dhaka — Dhaka Special Judge Court‑5 — on November 27, 2025, sentenced Sheikh Hasina in three separate corruption cases related to alleged illegal land allotments in the Rajuk-Purbachal New Town housing project.
She received seven years’ imprisonment in each case — totalling 21 years, to be served consecutively.
Along with jail terms, the court imposed a fine of 1 lakh taka per case; failure to pay would result in an additional 18 months’ imprisonment per case.

Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, were each sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment, along with fines of 1 lakh taka each (or extended jail if not paid).
Additional accused — including former housing-ministry officials and Rajuk staff — were also convicted, receiving varying prison terms. One junior officer was acquitted.

The corruption cases stem from alleged irregularities in the allocation of government-owned land plots under the Purbachal New Town project near Dhaka. Prosecutors accused Hasina of granting plots without following due procedure, bypassing eligibility norms, and misusing her authority.
According to the court, the plot was allotted “without any application” and beyond legally authorised jurisdiction — a serious violation.

The verdict arrives shortly after Hasina was also sentenced to death in absentia by a separate tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity following last year’s nationwide unrest — though those charges are unrelated to the land-allocation cases.
Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024 during mass protests and has denied all allegations, calling the proceedings politically motivated.
The sentencing deepens the legal crisis she faces and could have significant political repercussions, especially ahead of scheduled national elections.

Security was tightened around the court complex ahead of the verdict, reflecting the high-profile nature and potential for unrest.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) — which filed the cases — has said it may appeal for harsher punishment, calling the sentence “inadequate.”
Hasina’s party and supporters have condemned the ruling, claiming the trial lacked fairness and was driven by political vendetta.