Verdict against Hasina, Tulip, Ruponti Feb 2

A Dhaka court will deliver its verdict in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over corruption in the allocation of land plots in Purbachal against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her nieces Tulip Siddiq, a British MP, and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti on February 2, report agencies.

A total of 18 suspects stand accused in the case.

Judge Rabiul Alam of the Dhaka Special Judges Court-4 set the date for the verdict on Tuesday after the prosecution and defence completed their arguments.

Advocate Zahirul Islam represented the ACC at the hearing. He requested the maximum sentence -- life imprisonment-- for the suspects.

No lawyer represented the 17 absconding suspects, including Hasina, Tulip and Ruponti. They are not allowed to defend themselves.

Lawyer Shahinur Islam represented Khurshid Alam, the only suspect in jail custody. He sought Khurshid's acquittal, claiming that the ACC had 'failed to prove' the allegations.

The other accused in the case include former administrative officer of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works Md Saiful Islam Sarkar, Senior Assistant Secretary Purabi Goldar, Additional Secretary (Administration) Kazi Wasi Uddin, former Chairman of RAJUK Md Anisur Rahman Mia, Member (Development Control) Tanmoy Das, former member (planning) Mohammad Nasir Uddin, former member Major (Engineer) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (retd), Member (Estate and Land) Md Nurul Islam and former state minister Sharif Ahmed.