SC to hear appeal against Khaleda's acquittal in Zia Charitable case Mar 2

The state and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have filed an appeal with the Appellate Division against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s acquittal in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. The Appellate Division has scheduled the hearing for March 2.

A bench of the Appellate Division led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam issued the order on Sunday.  

The ACC was represented by Advocate Asif Hossain while Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque appeared for the state. Barristers Kaiser Kamal and Ruhul Quddus Kajol, along with Advocate Maksud Ullah, represented Khaleda Zia. 

On November 27 last year, the High Court acquitted Khaleda Zia from her seven-year sentence in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. 

The verdict was delivered by a High Court bench comprising Justice A K M Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayetur Rahman after granting Khaleda Zia’s appeal against the sentence.

The appeal hearing on Khaleda Zia’s seven-year conviction in the case commenced on November 20 last year. Earlier, on November 3, the High Court allowed her to prepare the case’s paper book at her own expense.

In October 2018, a lower court sentenced Khaleda Zia to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the case, along with three other accused, who received the same sentence. 

Each was also fined Tk 10 lakh, and the court ordered the confiscation of 42 katha of land in Kakrail, purchased under the trust’s name, in favor of the state. 

Following the verdict, Khaleda Zia filed an appeal.