Khaleda Zia’s appeal hearing in Zia Orphanage Trust case nears conclusion

The final hearing of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s appeal against her 10-year sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case is currently underway in the Supreme Court. 

The session began on Wednesday morning (January 8) in the Appellate Division.

Back on November 11, the Appellate Division granted Khaleda Zia permission to appeal, temporarily suspending the High Court’s 10-year prison sentence handed down earlier. 

Following this, Khaleda Zia formally appealed the conviction.

In 2018, on February 8, Judge Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5, held at the Bakshibazar Prison Directorate‍‍`s Parade Ground, sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years in prison for her involvement in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. 

Her son and acting BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, former Magura MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, Dr. Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, and Mominur Rahman were also sentenced to 10 years each in the same case.

Khaleda Zia filed her appeal to the High Court on February 20 that same year. 

Later, on March 28, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted a request for an increased sentence, which resulted in the High Court issuing a rule. 

On October 30, 2018, a High Court bench comprised of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman upheld this rule and extended Khaleda Zia’s sentence from five years to 10 years.

Additionally, Khaleda Zia’s appeal seeking acquittal from her five-year sentence, as well as the appeals from Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and Sharfuddin Ahmed for acquittal from their 10-year sentences, were all dismissed by the High Court.

In another case, on October 29, 2018, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to seven years in the Zia Charitable Trust case by the same Judge Akhtaruzzaman at the Old Central Jail’s administrative building. 

Along with this, she was fined 1 million Taka, with an additional six months‍‍` imprisonment in case of non-payment. 

The other three accused in this case received the same punishment.

On November 18, Khaleda Zia appealed the Zia Charitable Trust case ruling at the High Court. 

After reviewing the appeal, the High Court overturned the sentences of Khaleda Zia and the other accused in November.

Despite these developments, both cases saw former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s sentences pardoned by the President of Bangladesh.

Khaleda Zia’s legal team raised concerns about the ongoing appeal hearing despite the presidential pardon. 

“The BNP Chairperson has always respected the law,” her lawyers stated. 

"Even though the President pardoned her, she didn’t ask for forgiveness because she believes she committed no crime. Khaleda Zia has instructed us to handle this legally, as she does not believe in seeking clemency for something she did not do."