London politics has been yanked into the centre of Dhaka’s most volatile legal drama as a Bangladeshi court prepares today (Monday) to deliver a corruption verdict implicating Sheikh Rehana and her daughter, former UK junior minister Tulip Siddiq—an outcome that could send shockwaves from Westminster to the Bangladeshi capital. The case, tied to the alleged illegal allocation of a 10-katha plot in the Purbachal New Town mega-project, places the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s London-based extended family under intensifying scrutiny. Hasina, Rehana, Tulip and 14 others are named as suspects in what prosecutors describe as one of the “most brazen” abuses of state land in decades. The ruling comes at a moment already shaking Bangladesh’s political foundations. Last week, Hasina herself was sentenced to 21 years in three separate corruption cases involving Purbachal plots—only months after receiving a death sentence from the International Crimes Tribunal over the July Uprising of 2024. Today’s judgement could determine whether her sister and niece join the mounting list of family members now facing criminal conviction. Prosecutors allege Tulip used “special influence” within her aunt’s office to secure land for her mother, brother Radwan Mujib Siddiq (Bobby) and sister Azmina Siddiq (Ruponti), in violation of RAJUK rules, eligibility criteria, and the government quota system. She is currently named in two additional plot-corruption cases now entering the testimony stage. If convicted under Section 409 of the Penal Code, she and Rehana face life imprisonment. The Anti-Corruption Commission says it has presented overwhelming evidence. “We expect the maximum sentence,” said ACC prosecutor Tarikul Islam. Only one suspect—former RAJUK member Khurshed Alam—is currently in custody, having received lighter sentences in related cases after surrendering “out of respect for the court”. The Purbachal inquiry began in the aftermath of last year’s July Uprising, which toppled the Awami League government. Hasina fled to India; her family members departed Bangladesh in the days that followed. Fresh allegations emerged in December that six members of her family had secured prime land through political manipulation. Six plots—numbers 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19—were allegedly allocated to Hasina, Joy, Putul, Rehana, Bobby and Ruponti. The High Court later appointed a three-member committee to investigate RAJUK irregularities across 15 years. Testimonies from senior ministry, land registry, tax and banking officials filled months of hearings before the court set today as verdict day. The charges against Rehana include concealing her existing property portfolio and bypassing the formal application process entirely, instead “requesting allocation” through Hasina. Tulip is accused of “direct assistance”, “influence” and “unlawful pressure”. Hasina herself is charged with abuse of power and conspiring to destroy official records. Tulip’s troubles have followed her back to the United Kingdom. Her meteoric rise—serving as Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Minister for the City and Anti-Corruption after Labour’s landslide—unravelled after British media linked her to a £700,000 London flat allegedly “gifted” by a developer close to the former Awami League administration. She was further dragged into controversy over procurement scandals tied to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The uproar forced her resignation in January. Her lawyers accuse the ACC of violating due process and failing to provide “authentic documents”, allegations firmly rejected by ACC Chairman Abdul Momen. “If she is innocent, why did she resign? Why the lawyers, if she had nothing to hide?” he said. Born in south London and educated at King’s College, Tulip is one of the highest-profile British-Bangladeshi politicians of her generation. Her fall from ministerial office has stunned Westminster—and today’s ruling may determine whether her political career recovers or ends in disgrace. The Purbachal prosecutions now form one of the most sweeping anti-corruption drives ever mounted against a Bangladeshi political dynasty. Seven members of the Hasina–Rehana family have been indicted across six cases since August 2024. With Hasina facing three prison terms, a death sentence, and a widening ring of financial-crime investigations, the legal siege surrounding her family shows no sign of easing. As Dhaka’s Special Judges’ Court convenes today, the eyes of two capitals—Dhaka and London—are fixed on a single ruling. The consequences may stretch far beyond one plot of land, touching questions of impunity, political patronage and the reach of anti-graft institutions across borders.

After days of fear, fervent prayers, and sleepless nights over the condition of their ailing leader Begum Khaleda Zia, a quiet wave of relief finally swept through millions of BNP leaders, activists, and well-wishers on Saturday night. The moment came when her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, stepped forward with an update that eased the nation’s trembling anxiety. “Alhamdulillah, her condition has remained stable for the last three days — 27, 28, and 29 November. She is responding to the treatment,” Zahid told a crowd of anxious journalists gathered outside the hospital gates. For a nation on edge, those words offered a fragile but welcome reassurance that the 79-year-old leader’s condition had not deteriorated.  Inside Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, the BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister continues to battle for her life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where every hour has felt unbearably long for her supporters. Zahid — also a BNP Standing Committee member and part of the medical board — said doctors were relieved that “she can take the treatment being administered.” He urged the nation to continue praying for her recovery. “The Acting Chairman has expressed gratitude to all of them,” Zahid said. He also appealed to BNP activists not to crowd the hospital premises — which is treating nearly 300 other patients — to ensure smooth operations inside. A Critical Fight, Watched by a Worried Nation Khaleda Zia, admitted on 23 November after doctors detected a chest infection, has been in Critical Care since Thursday. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir earlier described her condition as “critical,” further fueling public anxiety. Her treatment plan is being shaped by a multidisciplinary medical board, supported by consultations with specialists from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China, and top US institutions including Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai. “Any decision regarding treatment abroad depends entirely on her overall condition and the medical board’s advice. When a decision is made, it will be shared publicly,” Zahid said. He also revealed that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is monitoring every detail of his mother’s treatment from abroad. “He remains in constant contact with the doctors and the medical board to ensure her care continues without interruption,” Zahid noted. Family members — including Syeda Shamila Rahman and Shamim Eskander — have been keeping vigil at the hospital alongside top BNP leaders, providing emotional support during the crisis. A Nation Prays as Politics Enters a Sensitive Phase Khaleda Zia’s deteriorating health has sparked an unprecedented outpouring of prayers, sympathy, and concern across the country and beyond. The emotional surge comes as Bangladesh navigates a delicate political moment, with national elections scheduled for February. Doctors say her condition remains critical, and she is not fit to be moved abroad, despite her family’s hope of transferring her to London for advanced treatment once she stabilises. Khaleda — the first elected female prime minister of Bangladesh and only the second in the Muslim world — returned to the political stage this year after 17 years, even as she continues to battle prolonged illness and what her party describes as years of political repression. Prayers, Appeals, and Messages of Solidarity Prayers for her recovery now echo across political, religious, and social lines. Hifazat-e-Islam chief Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajedur Rahman issued a statement seeking Allah’s mercy for her “swift and complete recovery” and strength for the nation in “these difficult times.” International leaders and several foreign governments have also conveyed concern. Across the country, BNP is holding special prayer gatherings, while thousands of citizens, including many outside the party’s political sphere, have taken to social media to express their hopes for her recovery. Political figures, advisers, civil society leaders, and public personalities continue sharing messages of solidarity and concern. Advisory Council Prays, Clears Key Ordinance Earlier on Saturday, the Council of Advisers also prayed for Khaleda Zia’s recovery at a special meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain led the doa. The meeting approved the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which simplifies NGO operations. Under the new rules, foreign donations up to Tk 50 lakh per year will no longer require approval — a move intended to enhance efficiency and transparency. The draft Police Commission Ordinance, 2025 was also reviewed, with instructions for a more detailed revision ahead of the next meeting. Meanwhile, Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul informed the council that the last 24 Bangladeshi detainees held in the United Arab Emirates over July mass-uprising-related allegations will be released soon and are expected to return home within two to three days.

Hallmark Group Managing Director (MD) Md Tanvir Mahmud, who had been serving a prison sentence over the notorious Hallmark loan scam, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday night. He was 55. AIG (Development) of the Prisons Department, Md Jannat-ul Farhad, confirmed that Tanvir Mahmud passed away at approximately 10:30pm. Tanvir had been imprisoned in several cases filed with Ramna Police Station and Kafrul Police Station in connection with the multi-crore Hallmark scam — one of the largest financial frauds in Bangladesh’s banking history. Tanvir Mahmud was a central figure in the Hallmark Group loan scam, which came to light in 2012 and exposed massive irregularities at the state-owned Sonali Bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Branch. Hallmark Group, along with several associated firms, was found to have fraudulently obtained more than Tk 3,500 crore in loans using forged documents, fake letters of credit, and grossly inflated project valuations. The scandal triggered outrage across the country, led to extensive investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and resulted in dozens of cases against Tanvir, his wife Jesmine Akhter (Hallmark’s chairperson), and high-ranking Sonali Bank officials accused of facilitating the fraud. According to prison authorities, Tanvir had long been suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, diabetes, benign prostatic enlargement (BEP), bronchial asthma, chronic pancreatitis, recurrent vomiting, and urinary retention. His condition worsened on Saturday, prompting prison officials to transfer him from Dhaka Central Jail to DMCH at 1:35pm. He was admitted at around 4pm and placed in Bed No. 19 of Ward No. 602 under close medical supervision. Despite treatment, his health deteriorated rapidly, and doctors pronounced him dead at around 10:30pm, the prison official said.