SC defers Khaleda’s bail hearing in charitable trust graft case

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday deferred the hearing on BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail petition in Zia Charitable Trust Graft Case until 12 December.

The court also asked the medical board formed to treat Khaleda Zia to submit a report on her health condition within 12 December, reports UNB.

A six-member Appellate Division bench, led by chief justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order following a petition seeking time.

Attorney general Mahbubey Alam filed a petition seeking time for submitting the health report of Khaleda Zia.

“The health report of the BNP chief is not ready yet and more time is needed for preparing it,” he said.

On 28 November, the six-member Appellate Division bench deferred the hearing on the bail petition in the case until 5 December.

It had also asked the medical board formed to treat the BNP chairperson to submit a health report before the court on 5 December.

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

The High Court on 11 September rejected Khaleda’s bail petition in the case. Her bail petitions were turned down twice earlier 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 corruption case on 29 October last year. Khaleda later moved the High Court.

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

Khaleda Zia is currently being treated at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.