Hasina
Picnews
Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, was sentenced to 21 years in prison after a court found her guilty of corruption involving the illegal allocation of government land in the Purbachal residential project. The judgment, handed down on November 27, 2025, also ordered her to pay a fine of 10 million taka (about US$ 90,000).
The case centered on accusations that Hasina abused her authority to grant plots to family members and close associates, bypassing standard procurement procedures. Prosecutors presented evidence that the land was sold at below‑market rates, causing a loss to the state of roughly 2 billion taka.
Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since her ouster in August 2024, did not appear in court and was tried in absentia. Her legal team denounced the proceedings as politically motivated, arguing that the charges were part of a broader campaign to discredit her and her Awami League party.
The sentencing comes amid a series of legal actions against the former leader and her allies. Earlier in the year, Hasina received a death sentence for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 student protests, a verdict she also rejected as a sham. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, and daughter, Saima Wazed, were each sentenced to five years in prison in a separate corruption case.
The Bangladeshi government has said the verdict underscores its commitment to fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law. Officials noted that the case was investigated by the Anti‑Corruption Commission and tried in a special court established to handle high‑profile graft cases.
Human‑rights groups have called for an independent review of the trials, warning that the swift and severe penalties could set a troubling precedent for political opponents. The international community, including the United Nations, has urged Bangladesh to ensure that all legal proceedings meet international standards of fairness and due process.
