A special court in Dhaka on Monday sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to jail for five years, her sister Sheikh Rehana for seven years and niece Tulip Siddique for 2 years on charge of abusing power to obtain government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project.

Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge`s Court-4 of Dhaka pronounced the judgement in absence of the three accused.

Another 14 convicts in the cases were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment and fined to different amounts.

Earlier this morning, the Judge began delivering the verdicts at 10:30AM amid strong security measures.

The ACC alleged that Hasina unlawfully secured six plots using her power. She was accused in all six cases filed in this regard.Tulip used her power to get plots for Rehana, Bobby and Azmina, said ACC officials.

After investigation, IO submitted the chargesheet against the 17 on March 10.

The other accused in the case are--former state minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed, former senior assistant secretary of Ministry of Housing and Public Works Purabi Goldar, former additional secretary Wali Ullah, former additional secretary (Administration) Kazi Wasi Uddin, administrative officer Md Saiful Islam Sarkar, former RAJUK chairman Md Anisur Rahman Miah, former RAJUK members Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Major (Retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Tanmay Das, Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Md Nurul Islam, former RAJUK assistant director Mazharul Islam, former RAJUK deputy director (Estate and Land-3) Naeb Ali Sharif, and former personal secretary-1 to the ousted prime minister, Mohammad Salahuddin.