The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the jail term of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia would not be extended in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case in which she was earlier sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
The High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Shahidul Karim issued the rule after hearing an appeal filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission seeking extension of Khaleda’s punishment.
The court also asked authorities concerned to respond to the rule within four weeks.
On Sunday, the ACC submitted the petition.
Also Read - HC to hear ACC’s appeal on extending Khaleda’s punishment Wednesday
Earlier, on March 19, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court stayed Khaleda’s bail until May 8 in the graft case.
The superior court also allowed the government and the ACC to file petitions against the HC order that granted bail to Khaleda.
On March 12, the High Court granted four months’ interim bail to the former prime minister.
On February 8, Dhaka Special Court-5 convicted Khaleda and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the case. She was then sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road in the city.