The Special Judge's Court-5 of Dhaka, while delivering verdicts in three graft cases against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others, has issued a set of strong findings and corrective directives, sharply criticising Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
Deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment in three cases filed over irregularities in Purbachal plot allocation.
Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul was jailed for five years each in one of the three cases.
In its findings on Rajuk, the court today said the capital development authority had "persistently and wilfully" violated statutory rules and procedures governing the allotment of public land.
"The chairman and senior officials have knowingly disregarded mandatory requirements, failed to follow procedural safeguards, and processed applications in a manner designed to favour privileged individuals," Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said.
The findings added that this conduct reflected "an institutional mindset in which statutory law is treated as irrelevant for politically powerful and influential persons."
The judge noted that plot allotments had consistently favoured the (then) prime minister and her family members, officials and staff of the Prime Minister's Office, ministers, state ministers, members of parliament, senior ruling party leaders, bureaucrats, and other influential individuals.
"Such blatant disregard for binding legal provisions undermines the Constitution, subverts lawful governance, and converts public resources into instruments of private advantage and political patronage," he added.
Addressing the misuse of "special categories," the court said that although the law recognises certain limited exceptions, RAJUK officials repeatedly violated procedural requirements by approving applications without proper documentation, scrutiny, or adherence to eligibility criteria.
"These actions constitute gross abuse of office and a profound betrayal of the constitutional trust reposed in a statutory authority," the findings said.
Failure of ministry oversight
The court also criticised the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, saying it failed in its statutory responsibility to supervise, regulate, and ensure the lawful functioning of RAJUK.
"By allowing irregularities to flourish unchecked, exercising oversight nominally, and tacitly endorsing unlawful practices, the ministry has contributed directly to systemic violations," Judge Mamun said.
The court further noted that the ministry improperly influenced Rajuk's statutory processes by issuing recommendations for plot allotments under "special categories," thereby enabling procedural violations and perpetuating elite capture.
"This constitutes deliberate abandonment of lawful oversight and institutional dereliction of duty," the verdict said.
Corrective measures ordered
As part of its directives, the court ordered that all officers involved in unlawful processing or approval of allotments be immediately removed from decision-making positions, pending departmental and criminal proceedings.
It also directed that a comprehensive forensic audit of all allotments made during the relevant period be conducted by an independent committee comprising members of civil society, urban planners, and anti-corruption representatives.
In addition, the court ordered Rajuk to introduce a fully digital lottery system for land allotments, with live broadcasting, secure audit trails, and encrypted selection mechanisms to eliminate discretion and manipulation.
