Published: 11:31 PM, 13 October 2026
Court sentences Partex Group founder's sons to seven years in prison
A Dhaka court has sentenced Shawkat Aziz Russell and Ashfaque Aziz Rubel, sons of late MA Hashem, founder of the Partex Group, to seven years in prison each in a corruption case involving land plots.
The verdict marks a significant development in the case against the two businessmen, who are associated with one of Bangladesh's prominent business groups. Shawkat Aziz Russell also serves as president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), an influential industry body representing the country's textile mill owners.
The court handed down the sentences on Tuesday after proceedings related to allegations of corruption in connection with land plots. The case centers on alleged irregularities associated with the plots, bringing the two business figures under judicial scrutiny. Russell and Rubel are sons of the late MA Hashem, who established the Partex Group and built a major business enterprise in Bangladesh. The group has interests across several sectors, making the court's decision a notable development involving members of a prominent business family.
Russell's position as BTMA president also gives the verdict significance for the textile industry, which plays a central role in Bangladesh's export economy. The country's textile and garment sectors employ millions of workers and remain important sources of foreign exchange earnings.
The seven-year prison sentences represent a serious legal setback for the two brothers. However, the precise implications for their business activities and Russell's leadership role in the textile industry will depend on the applicable legal procedures and any subsequent developments in the case.
Corruption cases involving land transactions have drawn public attention in Bangladesh, where questions about land ownership, allocation, and the transparency of property-related dealings frequently feature in legal and governance debates. Such cases can have implications for public confidence in commercial practices and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
The Tuesday ruling places the allegations against Russell and Rubel within the formal judicial process. The court's decision and the details established through the proceedings will be central to any further legal steps taken by the defendants.
Further developments may include legal challenges or appeals, subject to the applicable law and the decisions of the parties involved.
The verdict is also likely to attract attention because of the defendants' family background and positions in the business community. MA Hashem's legacy as the founder of Partex Group, combined with Russell's leadership of BTMA, makes the case notable beyond the immediate dispute over land plots.
The sentences underscore the legal consequences that can arise from corruption-related proceedings involving business figures, although any further assessment of the case must be based on the court's findings and the applicable legal process.
