Nov 27, Kathmandu - A Bangladesh court on Thursday sentenced ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison in three corruption cases, local media reported.

The three cases were filed over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots in the Rajuk New Town project in Purbachol, according to state news agency BSS.

Sheikh Hasina has not been arrested yet and the trial was held in her absence. The judge delivered the verdict in the absence of the accused.

Dhaka Special Judge-5 Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun sentenced Sheikh Hasina to seven years in prison each in three plot fraud cases, totalling 21 years.

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed six separate cases against Sheikh Hasina and her family members in January for illegally allocating government plots in Dhaka's Purbachol area. The verdict in the remaining three cases will be delivered on December 1.

The court sentenced Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, to five years in prison and a fine of one lakh taka.

The court also sentenced Sheikh Hasina's daughter, Saima Wazed (Putul), to five years in prison.

The International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has already sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity for her role in the July 2014 anti-government protests.

Sheikh Hasina and her family are absconding, so no lawyer was present for the hearing of these cases. However, they have denied any involvement in any corruption charges in various speeches and statements.