SC starts hearing on Khaleda Zia's appeal against 10-year jail sentence

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday started its hearing on an appeal petition filed by BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, challenging a High Court verdict that increased her five-year jail term to 10 years in the Zia Orphanage Trust case.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed held the hearing in part and adjourned it until Wednesday.

Senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Badruddoza Badal, Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Kaiser Kamal, and Adv Gazi Qamrul Islam Sazal took part in the hearing on behalf of the former prime minister.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Additional Attorney Generals Mohammad Arshadur Rouf and Aneek Rushd Haque stood for the state, while Advocate Md Ashif Hasan argued for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On November 11, 2024, the apex court allowed two leave to appeal petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, staying the High Court verdict that extended her five-year jail term.

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