DHAKA:  The High Court has adjourned till October 4 the appeal hearing of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia against her 5-year jail sentence in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and extended her bail till October 8. 

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order on Wednesday (October 3).

Barrister Badruddoza Badol appeared for Khaleda Zia while Kushid Alam while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Earlier on February 8, a Dhaka court sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case. Three other accused of the case including Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman were sentenced to 10 years in jail. 

The anti-corruption commission (ACC) filed the case on July 3 in 2008 with Ramna police station accusing Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others for embezzlement of about Tk 21 million that was received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank.

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

Khaleda Zia has been serving her five years’ sentence in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case since February 8, 2018.

On March 12, the HC granted four months’ bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the case. The four-month bail order expired on July 12.

On August 13, HC extended her bail of the case till October 3 while hearing was adjourned till October 2. 

BDST: 1826 HRS, OCT 3, 2018

AH/AP