The Appellate Division has concluded the hearing on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's appeal against the 10-year sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The verdict is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday.
Khaleda Zia was represented in court by senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Barrister Badruddoza Badol, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, Advocate Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, Advocate Aminul Islam, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Advocate Zakir Hossain, and Advocate Maksud Ullah.
Appearing on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was Advocate Asif Hossain, while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state. The Appellate Division was led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed.
After the hearing, Advocate Zainul Abedin and Barrister Kaiser Kamal expressed optimism, saying: "Khaleda Zia was sentenced by a fabricated court under the fascist Hasina government. We hope that justice will prevail, and Khaleda Zia will receive a fair verdict tomorrow."
The Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case dates back to February 8, 2018, when a trial court sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years in prison. Five other defendants were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each.
The verdict, delivered by Judge Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5, found Khaleda Zia guilty of embezzling funds intended for the Orphanage Trust. Tarique Rahman, her son, and four others were also convicted, with each fined Tk2.1 crore.
The other defendants include former Principal Secretary Kamal Uddin Siddique, former MP and businessman Kazi Salimul Haq Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, and Ziaur Rahman’s nephew, Mominur Rahman. Among them, Tarique Rahman, Kamal Uddin Siddique, and Mominur Rahman are currently fugitives.
Khaleda Zia appealed the trial court's verdict to the High Court, seeking acquittal. However, on October 30, 2018, a High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman increased her sentence to 10 years. She then filed a leave-to-appeal against this decision, which remained pending due to delays and inactivity from her legal team.
On November 11, 2024, the Appellate Division granted Khaleda Zia’s leave-to-appeal against the 10-year sentence. The court also suspended her sentence until the appeal was resolved.
The three-member bench, led by senior Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, instructed her to submit a concise statement of her appeal within two weeks. The case was then brought to the Appellate Division for hearings, culminating in the upcoming verdict.
