Appellate Division rules on Khaleda petition Monday

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday will give its order on 2 leave-to-appeal petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in 2 graft cases. The 5-member Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice M Muzammel Hossain, set the date today (Sunday) after concluding hearings of the petitions over the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases. The SC bench has also adjourned hearing of another petition until Monday. The High Court (HC) on April 23 scrapped the BNP chief's plea challenging her indictment in the 2 cases filed by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC). She submitted a leave to appeal – the procedure for requesting the court's permission to hear an appeal – against the HC decision on July 7. However, the ACC on Oct 16 requested the court to expedite the hearing on Khaleda's plea. The Chamber Judge then forwarded the matter to the Appellate Division, according to a news agency.