DHAKA: The Supreme Court fixed July 12 to pass its order on the petitions filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking review of its earlier order that asked the High Court to hear and dispose of her appeals in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by July 31.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain fixed the date after concluding hearing on the review petitions on Monday (July 9).

Lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali moved for Khaleda Zia while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam moved for the state and lawyer Khurshid Alam moved for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

On February 8, a Dhaka court sentenced Khaleda to five years of rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Later Khaleda’s lawyers filed an appeal against the verdict with the High Court seeking bail for her. On March 12, the HC granted four months bail to Khaleda Zia. 

The government and ACC then filed an appeal against the HC bail order with the Supreme Court. On May 16, the SC upheld the bail order and asked HC to hear and dispose of her appeals in the case by July 31. 

Later Khaleda Zia’s lawyers filed a petition with SC seeking a review of its order. On Thursday (July 5), the chamber court of the appellate division fixed July 9 for a full bench hearing of the review petition. 

Of the six convicts of Zia Orphanag Trust graft case, 3 convicts including Khaleda Zia are in jail while three others are absconding.

BDST: 1515 HRS, JULY 9, 2018
AP/SMS