Appellate Division rejects Khaleda Zia’s bail plea

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the bail petition of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case, reports UNB.

The six-member appellate bench, led by chief custice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after hearing the petition.

"The petition is dismissed," the court announced.

On 5 December, the top court deferred the hearing until 12 December and asked the medical board formed to treat Khaleda to submit a report on her health condition.

The bench, led by the chief justice, passed the order after attorney general Mahbubey Alam sought time to file the report.

On 28 November, the bench deferred the hearing on the bail petition until 5 December. It also asked the medical board to submit a health report before the court on 5 December.

Khaleda moved the apex court on 14 November challenging a High Court Division order that had turned down her bail petition in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

The High Court on 11 September rejected her bail petition. Khaleda's bail plea had been turned down twice before - on 31 July and 3 September.

On 8 August 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Charitable Trust case with Tejgaon police against four people, including Khaleda. They were accused of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

A special court jailed the BNP chief and three others for seven years in the case on 29 October last year. Khaleda later moved the High Court.

The former prime minister has been in jail since 8 February last year after she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in a separate corruption case.

She is currently being treated at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Her party has been accusing the government of not providing adequate treatment facilities to Khaleda.