The Appellate Division has scheduled a hearing for March 3 on the appeal filed by the state and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against the High Court’s acquittal of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
On Sunday, March 2, the Appellate Division’s three-member bench, led by Senior Justice Ashfaqul Islam, was set to hear the appeal. However, the ACC requested a delay, stating that they had filed an appeal against another accused, Ziaul Islam, and asked for more time. Consequently, the hearing was rescheduled for Monday, March 3.
In the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case, Khaleda Zia had been acquitted by the High Court. Previously, on October 29, 2018, Judge Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5 sentenced Khaleda Zia to seven years in prison in connection with the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Additionally, she was fined 10 lakh Taka, and failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months of imprisonment. The other three accused in the case received similar sentences.
The three other convicted individuals are: Khaleda Zia’s former political secretary, the late Haris Chowdhury; Haris Chowdhury’s former personal secretary, Ziaul Islam Munna; and the former personal secretary of the late Mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation, Sadek Hossain Khoka, Monirul Islam Khan. Haris Chowdhury had been absconding at the time and later passed away. The remaining accused appealed the verdict in the High Court.
Liberty News’ political correspondent states that the case was initially filed on August 8, 2010, by the ACC at Tejgaon Police Station, accusing the Zia Orphanage Trust of illegally transacting 3.15 crore Taka. After a lengthy investigation, the ACC filed charges against Khaleda Zia and three others in 2012. The trial court framed charges against them on March 19, 2014. After completing witness testimonies and arguments, the verdict was announced on October 19, 2018.
LND/BG
