Full verdict of Zia Orphanage Trust case released

The High Court on Monday released the full text of its verdict doubling the jail term of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case to 10 years from five years, reports UNB.

The text of the 177-page judgment was published on the Supreme Court website after two judges concerned signed it.

"We consider it appropriate that justice would be met if the maximum sentence prescribed in section 409 of the Penal Code is awarded to Begum Zia," the court observed in the verdict.

This was also a warning to others on high positions so that they "think twice" before committing such crimes in the future, it said.

On 30 October last, the HC bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim and justice Md Mostafizur Rahman extended the BNP chief's jail term. The bench also upheld 10-year jail term of two other convicts - Kazi Solimul Haque Kamal and Sarfuddin Ahmed.

On 8 February last year, a special court in Dhaka convicted former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the much-talked-about Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. The BNP termed the case politically motivated.

Five other accused in the case, including her son and BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment each. The court also fined the five accused Tk 21 million each.

The BNP chief secured four months' bail from the High Court in the case on 12 March last year and moved the HC against her conviction on 19 February. The ACC had sought extension of her jail term to life term imprisonment.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against Khaleda and others with Ramna police station on 3 July 2008 accusing them of misappropriating Tk 21 million in donations meant for a trust set up in her husband's name.