Khaleda bail extended until 19 July

The High Court on Thursday extended the bail of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia until 19 July in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The HC bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim and justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order following a petition filed by Khaleda's lawyer, reports UNB.

The court also adjourned the hearing on the review petition filed by the BNP chief against a lower court verdict sentencing her to five years’ imprisonment in the graft case.

Earlier, in the day, the HC started hearing on the review petition around 11:00am following the order of the Supreme Court.

Khaleda's lawyer Abdur Rezak Khan read out the FIR from the paper book while AJ Mohammad Ali read out the charge sheet before the court.

Senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed said the bail of Khaleda Zia in the case expired today and the lawyers filed a petition before the court seeking extension of the bail.

On 5 July, a petition was filed with the High Court seeking extension of its earlier order granting four-month interim bail to Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

On 12 March, the HC granted four-month bail to Khaleda in the case which was to expire today (12 July).

On 8 February, the Dhaka Special Court-5 convicted the former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

She was then sent to the abandoned central jail on Nazimuddin Road in the capital.