Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow on two leave to appeal petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. The announcement comes after a three-member bench, led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, conducted hearings on the appeals which challenge the High Court’s decision to extend Zia’s jail term in the case.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, senior legal representatives for Khaleda Zia, including Zainul Abedin, AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Kayser Kamal, Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Advocate Gazi Qamrul Islam Sazal, and Jakir Hossain Bhuiyan, argued that there is no evidence directly linking Zia to any financial misconduct. They claim that no documents have been presented showing Zia’s approval of any notes or signatures on checks related to the alleged embezzlement.
Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon emphasized to reporters that the prosecution failed to provide any legal documents with Zia’s signat
ure and that the questioned funds remain intact in the bank. He asserted that the case was politically motivated, alleging that the lower court’s 2018 judgment and subsequent High Court decision to extend Zia’s sentence were both conducted with bias.
Further supporting this argument, Barrister Kayser Kamal noted that the Anti-Corruption Commission’s counsel admitted the funds, amounting to Taka 2.33 crore, were not misappropriated, as they remain in the bank. Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal argued that the conviction was based on evidence lacking substantial value, prompting the defense to seek dismissal of both the lower and High Court judgments.
The Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 initially convicted Khaleda Zia in February 2018, sentencing her to five years in prison. Her son, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and four others received ten-year sentences. The High Court later extended Zia’s imprisonment to ten years in October 2018.