DHAKA:  The High Court adjourned till Sunday (October 7) the hearing on the plea filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust case challenging five years jail term in which she is imprisoned now.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order on Thursday (October 4).

A J Mohammad Ali argued for Khaleda Zia while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Earlier, the appeal hearing started on July 12.

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.

On July 3 in 2008, ACC filed the case 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 6 convicts in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, 3 convicts including Khaleda Zia are in jail while 3 others are absconding.

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

Khaleda Zia was given bail in the case a couple of times. 

On Wednesday (October 3), HC extended her bail till October 8 in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

BDST: 1531 HRS, OCT 4, 2018

AH/SMS