ACC files leave-to-appeal against Khaleda’s bail order

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a leave-to-appeal plea against High Court order that granted bail for BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

ACC Lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan on Thursday filed the leave-to-appeal with concerned section of Supreme Court seeking extension of stay order on Khaleda’s bail. 

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim granted four months interim-bail to Khaleda in the case after receiving the documents from lower court on March 12 this year.

But, a four-member bench of Appellate Division of SC headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain suspended the bail order to BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the case on March 14.

The bench came up with the order after hearing two appeals filed by the state and the ACC against a High Court order that granted bail to BNP chairperson in the graft case.

On the same day, ACC and State were asked to file a leave-to-appeal by March 18. 

ACC on Thursday filed the leave to appeal following the direction. In the appeal, ACC urged to extend the stay order on Khaleda’s bail.

A Dhaka court sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8 last.

Her son and BNP’s Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and four others have also been given 10 years imprisonment in the case and a fine of Tk 2.10 crore each.

Khaleda Zia has been kept in the old central jail at Nazimuddin road in the capital following the verdict on the day.