Order on Khaleda's petitions in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case today

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) will give order on two leave to appeal petitions of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case today (Monday), reports BSS.

A three-member apex court bench, headed by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, passed the order on Sunday after holding hearing on the two separate pleas filed by the BNP chief, challenging the High Court order that extended her jail term in the case.

Senior advocates Zainul Abedin and AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Kayser Kamal, Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Advocate Gazi Qamrul Islam Sazal and Jakir Hossain Bhuiyan stood for Khaleda Zia, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Advocate Asif Hasan argued for the state and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) respectively.

"We have argued the prosecution could not able to show any documents, suggesting Begum Khaleda Zia approved any note, or signed any cheques; they could not show any signature of Begum Khaleda Zia on any government documents. Even the fund, we are talking about, is in the bank intact.

There are no legal documents with Begum Khaleda Zia's signature, the fund is intact in the bank, so how can they convict Begum Khaleda Zia for money embezzlement?" Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon told newsmen.