Khaleda appeal hearing in graft case 3 July

The High Court on Wednesday fixed 3 July for hearing on the appeal petition filed by Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust case.

A HC bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim and justice Md Mostafizur Rahman fixed the date following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The HC also asked the concerned bench to provide the paper book related to the case to Khaleda Zia’s lawyer within next 24 hours, said Khurshid Alam, a counsel of the ACC.

On Sunday, ACC counsel Khurshid Alam filed a petition against the appeal petition filed by Khaleda Zia before the court.

Earlier on 16 May, a four-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by chief justice Syed Mahmud Hossain upheld the High Court order that had granted bail to convicted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The SC also issued an order to dispose of Khaleda’s appeal petition challenging the lower court’s verdict in the case by 31 July.

On 9 May last, a four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by the chief justice fixed 15 May for delivering the order after closing a two-day hearing on the two petitions.

The SC on 8 May adjourned until 9 May the hearing on the petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the state against Khaleda’s bail.

On 19 March, the Appellate Division stayed Khaleda’s bail until 8 May in the graft case in which she was convicted by the lower court.

The Dhaka Special Court-5 convicted the former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

She was then sent to old central jail at Nazimuddin Road in the city on February 8 last.

She secured four months’ bail from the High Court in the case on 12 March.

On 15 March, the ACC and the state filed two leave-to-appeal petitions before the Appellate Division challenging Khaleda Zia’s bail. The Appellate Division later stayed Khaleda Zia’s bail until 8 May in the case.