Rana Plaza owner found guilty of corruption
A Bangladesh court yesterday jailed the owner of Rana Plaza for three years over corruption, the first of many charges after the garment complex collapsed in 2013, killing 1,130 people.
Sohel Rana was given the maximum three-year sentence by a special court in Dhaka for failing to declare his personal wealth to Bangladesh’s anti-graft commission.
“This is the first time he has been convicted and jailed,” prosecutor Salahuddin Eskander said.
Mr Eskander said Rana, who faces four other charges including murder for his role in one of the world’s worst industrial tragedies, was in court for the verdict.
He and 37 others could be sentenced to death if found guilty of murder over the collapse of the factory complex. That trial has been delayed by appeals in the higher court.
Rana became the nation’s public enemy No 1 after the disaster, as survivors recounted being forced to enter the building to work despite complaining about cracks in the walls.
He and 17 others have also been charged with breaching building codes when extending the six-storey structure by three floors. The illegal construction was blamed by investigators for the collapse.
Bangladesh’s anti-graft agency accused Rana of buying property with suspicious funds. It is also investigating his parents after claims that they hoarded more than US$2 million, or Dh7.3m, in ill-gotten gains.
His lawyer, Faruque Ahmed, said Rana would appeal against the verdict.
The Rana Plaza disaster prompted sweeping reforms in the garment sector, including safety inspections and higher wages in an industry that employs about four million workers, mostly women.
Bangladeshi campaigners welcomed the verdict.
“It has been four years since the tragedy, and still this trial has not begun in full swing,” said Kalpona Akter, head of the Bangladesh centre for worker solidarity. “He is a cold-blooded murderer. He forced workers to work in a death chamber.”
Rana, who was linked with the ruling Awami League party, also faces a narcotics charge.
Bangladesh’s garment industry is worth nearly $30 billion, making it the world’s largest exporter after China.