Zia Orphanage Trust graft case: Convict Salimul files appeal challenging lower court verdict

Former BNP lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque, who was convicted along with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, has filed an appeal with the High Court, challenging the lower court verdict that sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment. Now in jail, Salimul filed the appeal with High Court bench concerned through his lawyer on Tuesday. His counsel Palash Chandra Roy said he would file a bail petition with the bench if it accepts the appeal against the sentence.

---

Also Read  - Graft case verdict sends Khaleda Zia to jail for 5 years

---

On February 8, Judge Dr Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka’s Fifth Special Judge Court sentenced BNP chief and former prime minister Khaleda Zia to five years’ imprisonment in the case and five other accused, including Salimul, to 10 years’ imprisonment. Each of the convicts was also fined Tk2.10 crore. The other four convicts are Tarique Rahman, Khaleda’s elder son and BNP acting chairman; Sharfuddin Ahmed, a businessman; Mominur Rahman, a cousin of Tarique; and Kamal Uddin Siddique, principal secretary to then prime minister Khaleda Zia. Khaleda, who has been in prison since, filed an appeal with the High Court on February 20, challenging the verdict.

---

Also Read - An autopsy of the Khaleda verdict

---

On February 22, she filed a separate petition with the court, seeking bail in the case. The same day the High Court accepted Khaleda’s appeal and stayed the Tk2.10 crore fine slapped on her by the lower court. After hearing her bail plea, the High Court on February 25 said it would pass its order on the bail prayer upon receiving the case records from the lower court that was directed to send the documents within 15 workdays.Parts of this article were taken from banglatribune.com