A metropolitan special tribunal delivered a verdict on Thursday in a high-profile land allocation corruption case involving a former head of government and several members of her family.

According to the judgment, the accused leader received a residential plot in a state-run new-town project despite never filing a formal application, a step that is mandatory under the relevant rules. The court stated that her later request to take possession of the property suggested “an eagerness for personal gain.”

The presiding judge said the former leader had secured one plot for herself and additional plots under the names of multiple close relatives. The bench observed that “even after serving several terms in public office, she failed to maintain proper restraint over public resources.”

In three related cases concerning irregularities in plot distribution, the former prime minister—who was removed from office following a mass uprising—was sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment in total. Two of her adult children were each given five-year prison terms. All were tried in absentia after being declared fugitives.

How the Case Emerged

Before announcing the penalties, the judge outlined the background of the case. He noted that the irregular allotments first came to light through investigative reporting. The country’s anti-corruption commission later opened an inquiry into six plots allocated to the family, each measuring ten kathas.

After finding procedural violations, the commission filed six cases earlier this year.

According to the findings, the former leader obtained multiple plots for herself and family members in 2009 by using her executive authority. The court observed that property owned by the family elsewhere in the capital had not been disclosed, even though such disclosure is required.

Irregular Approvals and Missing Documentation

The verdict states that the housing ministry and the city development authority approved the plots despite the absence of any official application. Internal notes and recommendations from senior officials were issued, and the development authority’s board endorsed the allotments in violation of established procedures.

The court also highlighted that the required affidavit—stating that the applicant had no other government-allotted land—was neither notarized nor complete. The affidavit allegedly omitted reference to an older property previously allotted to the leader’s spouse.

Nevertheless, the development authority accepted the document and confirmed the allotment. Later, the former leader submitted a request to take possession of the plot, which the court interpreted as supporting the allegation of “personal motivation.”

In September of the same year, the agency handed over possession of a specific residential plot in the project.

Court’s Final Observation

The judge remarked that the improper allocation of a public resource deprived potentially deserving citizens. He further stated that the misuse of authority and failure to follow legal requirements justified the conviction under both the penal code and anti-corruption law.

The former leader was therefore sentenced to seven years for each of three proven offenses, to run consecutively.