DHAKA: The High Court has issued a rule asking authorities concerned to explain why the jail term of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will not be extended in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

An HC bench of justices M Enayetur Rahim and Md Shahidul Karim issued the rule on Wednesday (March 28) following an appeal filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission seeking extension of Khaleda's punishment.

The court asked Khaleda Zia and the government to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Earlier on Sunday, the ACC submitted the petition. ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan moved for the appeal in court.

He said Khaleda Zia, the prime accused of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, was sentenced to five years in jail while the other accused got 10 years jail sentence which is discrimination.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed, AJ Mohammad Ali and Joynul Abedin moved for Khaleda Zia in court. 

Later Joynul Abedin said we have not received the ACC appeal copy. However, Special law does not allow the opportunity to revise the sentence.  
 
Earlier on 19 March, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court stayed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's bail till 8 May in the graft case.

However, the SC also allowed the government and the ACC to file petitions against the HC order that granted bail to Khaleda fixing May 8 for next hearing.

On March 12, the High Court granted a four-month interim bail to Khaleda Zia.

On February 8, a special court in Dhaka sentenced the BNP chief to five years' imprisonment in the case and five other accused to 10 years imprisonment. She was sent to Dhaka central jail following the verdict.

BDST: 1815 HRS, MAY 28, 2018
AP