HC extends jail term of Khaleda to 10 years

The High Court has extended the jail term of former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from 5 years to 10 years in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman passed the order on Tuesday. 

The court also upheld the 10 years’ imprisonment handed to the Kazi Saleemul Huq and Sharfuddin Ahmed in the same case.

No lawyer for BNP chief and other accused of the case was present in the court room.

The bench did not say anything about other convicts of the case as they did not file any appeal and they are absconding.

On Feb 8, Special Judge-5 Dr Akhtaruzzaman sentenced the former prime minister to five years in prison for embezzling funds donated to the Zia Orphanage Trust.

The Judge also jailed Khaleda’s absconding son, acting BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman, and four others to 10 years.