A Legal Storm in Dhaka Sheikh Hasina and Family Sentenced Ahead of Elections

Just days before Bangladesh is set to go to the polls on February 12, 2026, the country’s political landscape has been hit by a massive legal tremor. A special court in Dhaka has sentenced the ousted Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, to a total of 10 years in prison in connection with two high-profile corruption cases.

The verdict comes at a time when Hasina remains in India, having fled her country on August 5 last year following nationwide protests.

The Core of the Case: The Rajuk Plot Scam

The charges revolve around the Purbachal New Town Project. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), there were massive irregularities and abuse of power in the allotment of government land plots.

Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-4 delivered the judgment, handing out 5-year sentences for each of the two cases, totaling 10 years for the 78-year-old former leader.

A Family Under Fire

It wasn't just Sheikh Hasina who faced the court’s wrath. Several members of her immediate family have also been convicted:

Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby & Azmina Siddiq: Both nephews/nieces of Hasina were sentenced to 7 years each in prison across the two cases.

Tulip Rizwana Siddiq: A prominent British MP and niece of Hasina, Tulip was sentenced to a total of 4 years (2 years for each case).

Fines: All convicts have been slapped with a fine of 1 lakh Taka. Failure to pay will result in an additional six months of jail time.

Political Implications

Sheikh Hasina has already been declared a fugitive by the court, and this latest sentencing further complicates her possible return to Bangladesh. With the general elections just around the corner, critics and supporters alike are debating the timing of this verdict. While the prosecution maintains it is a victory against systemic corruption and the "misuse of power," Hasina’s supporters view it as a politically motivated move to ensure she stays out of the country’s future governance.

As Bangladesh prepares for a crucial election, the shadows of these legal battles loom large over the ballot box.

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