Dhaka [Bangladesh], November 27 (ANI): A Dhaka court on Thursday sentenced former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison on corruption charges.
Dhaka’s Special Judge–5, Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, announced the verdict, sentencing Hasina to a total of 21 years—seven years each in three plot fraud cases. Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed six separate cases last January against Hasina and her family members for allegedly illegally allocating government plots in the Purbachal area of Dhaka. The verdicts in the remaining three cases are scheduled to be announced on December 1.
The court also sentenced Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, to five years in prison and imposed a fine of Tk 100,000. Her daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, was likewise sentenced to five years in prison.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh had earlier sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity for her actions during the July 2024 anti-government protests.
Sheikh Hasina and her family did not have legal representation in the corruption cases, as they were absconding. However, they have consistently denied any wrongdoing in public speeches and statements.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it is examining a request from Bangladesh’s interim government seeking Hasina’s extradition. She was sentenced to death by the ICT in connection with unrest during July–August 2024.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had formally received Dhaka’s communication, emphasizing that India remains committed to Bangladesh’s stability and the well-being of its people as part of its “ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.”
“Yes, we have received the request, and this request is being examined. As part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes, we remain committed to the best interest of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability in that country, and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all state stakeholders,” Jaiswal said.
In July 2024, a student-led uprising was launched against then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She fled Bangladesh on August 5 of that year and took refuge in India. An interim government was later formed under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. (ANI)
About The Author
