DHAKA: The High Court rejected the bail petition flied by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia who was jailed for seven years in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
The HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice SM Kuddus Zaman Wednesday (July 30) passed the order after hearing the plea.
Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain, advocate Zainul Abedin and Mahbub Uddin Khokon moved for Khaleda while Khurshid Alam Khan stood for Anti-Corruption Commission at the court room.
Earlier on Tuesday (July 30) the HC conducted hearing on the bail petition in the corruption case and adjourned it till Wednesday.
During the hearing, Khaleda’s lawyers told the court that no corruption took place in establishing the Zia Charitable Trust. There was no scope for the government to interfere in it as the trust is a private organization.
Earlier in the day, the BNP chief filed the petition with the High Court seeking bail in the Charitable Trust graft case in which she has been serving jail term for two and a half years.
BNP chief Khaleda Zia who has been suffering from different diseases including diabetes and dental problem is now undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Earlier on April 30, the High Court had accepted the appeals of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia filed against seven-year jail term in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case for hearing.
Besides, the court postponed the order of fine and confiscate and asked authorities concerned to submit documents of the case within two months.
When Khaleda Zia’s lawyer tried to place bail petition the court said, “At first, we need documents. Then, the bail petition will be heard. Here is no urgency in it. In another case, her sentence has been increased to 10 years. She did not secure bail in that case”.
Earlier on November 18 in 2018, the BNP chief has filed an appeal with with the concerned branch of the High Court challenging the lower court verdict that sentenced her seven years imprisonment in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
On October 29 last year, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka Special Judge Court--5 sentenced BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 3 others to 7 years jail each, in much-hyped Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Moreover, all the four convicts have been fined Tk10 lakh each. They have to serve more 6 months in jail each, in case of defying the fine.
Three other convicts are—Khaleda Zia’s former political affairs secretary Harris Chowdhury, his former aide and former BIWTA acting director Ziaul Islam Munna, and former Dhaka city corporation mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s personal secretary Monirul Islam Khan.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft case against Khaleda Zia and three others with Tejgaon Police Station on August 8, 2010 for embezzling Tk3.15 crore from Zia Charitable Trust.
On February 8, a Dhaka court sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case.
She was sent to Dhaka central jail following the verdict. Since then, she has been in jail.
BDST: 1731 HRS, July 30, 2019
RS/SMS
