Dhaka, Dec 3 (FNO): In a landmark verdict that has sent shockwaves across Bangladesh’s political landscape, a Dhaka court on Tuesday convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on corruption charges, sentencing her to five years in prison. Her niece, British MP Tulip Siddiq, was also handed a two-year jail term in the same case, tried in absentia.

The court ruled that both were guilty of irregularities linked to a land allotment and property development scheme dating back to Hasina’s tenure. Prosecutors argued that the transactions caused significant financial loss to the state, while defence teams termed the charges politically motivated.

Hasina, who has been in custody since her dramatic arrest earlier this year following mass protests and a military-backed political shift, appeared in court under heavy security. Meanwhile, Siddiq, who resides in London and has denied all allegations, called the judgement “a grave miscarriage of justice” through her representatives.

The verdict marks a dramatic fall for one of South Asia’s most influential political dynasties. Hasina, who served multiple terms as Prime Minister, had long dominated the country’s political stage. Analysts say the ruling deepens the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s future governance as the nation undergoes sweeping political realignment.

Human rights groups and international observers have urged transparency and caution, warning that the convictions could further inflame political tensions amid an already volatile climate.

Government officials, however, maintain that the judgement reflects a renewed commitment to accountability and the rule of law.

As reactions pour in from across the globe, Bangladesh now stands at a pivotal moment its political future under intense scrutiny as it navigates the aftermath of one of the most consequential corruption rulings in its history.