Khairul Alam: A Dhaka court has sentenced British MP Tulip Siddiq to 2 years in prison for corruption regarding plot allocations in the Purbachal New Town project. In the same verdict, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to 5 years, and her sister Sheikh Rehana received a 7-year prison term.
The Verdict Details
Judge Md. Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 announced the verdict on Monday at 11:00 AM.
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Tulip Siddiq: 2 years imprisonment and a fine of Tk 1 lakh (in default, another 6 months of jail).
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Sheikh Rehana: 7 years imprisonment and a fine of Tk 1 lakh.
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Sheikh Hasina: 5 years imprisonment.
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Other Accused: 14 other individuals involved in the case were each sentenced to 5 years in prison.
The Corruption Charges
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on January 13. The charges state that Tulip Siddiq misused her power as a British MP (Labour Party) to secure plots in the Purbachal New Town project for her mother (Sheikh Rehana), sister (Azmina Siddiq), and brother (Radwan Mujib). Each received a 10-katha plot.
However, this specific court case focused only on the plot allocated to Sheikh Rehana. Azmina and Radwan have been made accused in two separate cases.
Impact on Tulip Siddiq
Following the fall of the Awami League government, multiple corruption allegations surfaced against Sheikh Hasina’s family. As investigations began in Bangladesh, Tulip Siddiq faced heavy criticism in the UK. Consequently, she resigned from her post as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in the UK on January 14.
Other Convicted Officials
Aside from the Sheikh family members, 14 others were sentenced. Notable names include:
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Kazi Wasi Uddin (Secretary)
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Sharif Ahmed (Former State Minister for Housing and Public Works)
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Mohammad Salahuddin (Former PM’s Private Secretary)
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Various RAJUK officials: Including former members Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Tanmoy Das, and Mohammad Nasir Uddin.
Currently, among the 17 accused, only Khurshid Alam is in jail.