Ruling on Khaleda's appeal plea in Zia Orphanage Trust Case Monday

A decision on whether BNP chief Khaleda Zia can appeal for a reversal of her jail sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case is set to be announced on Monday.

On Sunday, a bench led by Appellate Division Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam set the date for the ruling.

In the hearing, the former prime minister was represented by lawyers Zainul Abedin, Ruhul Quddus Kazal, and Kayser Kamal, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman appeared for the state, reports bdnews24.com.

On Feb 8, 2018, Special Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman sentenced Khaleda to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. The verdict was given at a temporary court set up at the prison directorate’s parade ground in Bakshibazar.

The court also handed down 10-year prison sentences to Khaleda’s son and BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, former Magura MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, and Mominur Rahman.

On Feb 20, 2018, Khaleda appealed the verdict. In March, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed an application with the High Court requesting a longer sentence for her.

Responding to the ACC’s request, the High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman extended Khaleda’s sentence from five years to 10 years on Oct 30, 2018.

The same bench also rejected appeals by Khaleda and the other defendants seeking to overturn their sentences.

Khaleda subsequently filed a petition seeking permission to appeal this decision.