DHAKA: The High Court has started holding the hearing upon the plea filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust case challenging the jail term of five years.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman is holding the hearing.

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. 

On Thursday (July 12), the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court put a standover on the plea and said it will be considered if the appeal hearing doesn’t come to an end by July 31.

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

BDST: 1132 HRS, JUL 12, 2018
SI/SMS