Jail authorities receive 2 production warrants against Khaleda

Khaleda Zia. File Photo
Khaleda Zia. File Photo

The jail authorities have received two production warrants in two cases filed against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Contacted, Inspector General (Prisons) Syed Iftekhar Uddin confirmed UNB about the production warrants.

On Thursday, Khaleda, a 73-year-old former prime minister, was taken to the abandoned central jail at Nazimuddin Road after the special court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Five others accused in the case, including her son and BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment each.

On 3 July 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna police station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21.0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

Begum Zia's legal team expressed its intention to appeal against the verdict, and secure bail for their client. But as of Monday, they were yet to receive the certified copy of the verdict that the judge himself revealed runs to 632 pages.

The latest development with regard to the issuance of the production warrants may further frustrate their efforts.