Khaleda’s leave to appeal plea in Zia Charitable case rejected

The Appellate Division has rejected the leave-to-appeal petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking cancellation of the High Court order clearing the way for continuation of the trial proceedings in the case in her absence.

A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order on Monday. 

However, a Special Judge’s Court installed inside the old central jail is scheduled to deliver its verdict in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case today. 

On September 20, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court 5 decided to continue the trial proceedings in the absence of the main accused.

On September 27, the BNP chairperson filed the writ petition with the High Court challenging a lower court’s decision.

On October 16, the special court fixed October 29 for passing verdict in the corruption case.

Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since her conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, refused to appear before the court during the trial of the Zia Charitable Trust graft case on “safety grounds”.

The case was filed by the Anti-corruption Commission with Tejgaon police station in August, 2011, accusing Khaleda and three others of abusing power to raise funds for the trust from unknown sources.

According to the case statement, the former prime minister and three others abused their power and raised Tk3.15 crore for the trust from unknown sources.

On January 16, 2012, ACC submitted a charge sheet against four accused including Khaleda. The trial started on March 19, 2013.