Law ministry recommends extending suspension of Khaleda’s jail term

Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has recommended extending the suspension of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s jail sentence for another six months on previous conditions.

“I have recommended extending the suspension of her jail sentence for six months more and necessary documents in this regard were sent to the Home Ministry early today,” Law Minister Anisul Huq told BSS.

Earlier the Home Ministry sought Law Ministry’s opinion in this regard as Khaleda’s family pleaded to extend the suspension of her jail sentence on health ground.

Government on March 25, 2020, released imprisoned BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on humanitarian grounds for six months on conditions of must stay

in her own house and take treatment in the country and not to travel abroad during that time.

The government on September 15, 2020, extended for six months the earlier order that suspended the jail sentence of Khaleda Zia and released her from jail.

Dhaka special judge court-5 on February 8, 2018, sentenced the BNP leader to five-year imprisonment and other five accused including her “fugitive” elder son and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, to a 10-year imprisonment each, in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The High Court on October 30, 2018, enhanced BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s five-year jail term to 10 years in the case, allowing a revision plea filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against the lower court judgment.

Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 on October 29, 2018, sentenced BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and three others to seven-year imprisonment each in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

The court also fined them Taka 10 lakh each, in default, to suffer more six months in jail.