Zia Orphanage Trust: Khaleda’s leave to appeal verdict Thursday

The Appellate Division will deliver its verdict on the leave to appeal filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking stay on the trial proceedings and recording deposition of the witnesses of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Thursday. A five-member bench, led by acting Chief Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah, fixed the date on Monday. Earlier on October 30, the Supreme Court passed 'no order' on a petition filed by Khaleda and cleared way for the continuation of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Later, Khaleda filed leave to appeal. On October 22, the High Court disposed with observation the petition seeking its directive for recording deposition of nine witnesses of state. Besides, the court rejected an appeal filed for re-examining two witnesses of the case. Later, on October 24, Khaleda filed petition with the top court against the order. After a hearing, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain sent the petition to the full bench of the apex court for its hearing. The Anti Corruption Commission filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna police station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk2.1 crore that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.