SC dismisses Khaleda’s appeal in graft case

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today upheld a High Court order cancelling BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s plea to examine the prosecution witnesses afresh in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

“A three-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order, dismissing an appeal filed by Khaleda Zia against the High Court order. We would file a review plea against today’s order after consulting with our client,” defence counsel Barrister Badruddoza Badal said.

Senior jurist AJ Mohammad Ali, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Badal moved Khaleda’s plea before the court, while advocate Khurshid Alam Khan stood for complainant Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Earlier on January 12, a High Court division bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan rejected Khaleda’s plea in this regard.

Deputy Director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Harunur Rashid lodged the Zia Charitable Trust graft case against Khaleda and three others with Tejgaon Police Station on August 8, 2011, for embezzling Taka 31.5 million from the trust.

A total of 32 prosecution witnesses including the investigation officer have testified in the case. The other three accused in the case are BNP leader Sadek Hossain Khoka, Khaleda’s former political secretary Haris Chowdhury and BIWTA director Ziaul Islam Munna.

Source: BSS