HC seeks explanation for not extending Khaleda's jail term

The High Court has issued a rule asking why the jail term for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case will not be extended, report agencies.

The High Court on Wednesday issued the rule.

Khaleda, a three-time prime minister, is serving a five-year jail term in the old jailhouse in Dhaka after being convicted on Feb 08 in the Zia Orphanage Trust case, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission or ACC.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim issued the rule, responding to a petition filed by the ACC.

The state and Khaleda have to respond to the rule within four weeks. The court will hold hearings on the rule and Khaleda's appeal for commuting the sentence. The ACC also must clear its stance on seeking a review of the penalty set by the trial court, the High Court said on Wednesday.

Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan argued for ACC while lawyers, AJ Mohammad Ali, Moudud Ahmed and Zainul Abedin stood for the BNP chief.

Meanwhile, another court on the day extended until April 05 the bail of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.