Appeal Against Khaleda’s Acquittal To Be Heard Monday

The Appellate Division has fixed Monday (March 3) for hearing the leave to appeal filed against the verdict acquitting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

A three-judge bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam gave the order on Sunday (March 2).

Lawyer Asif Hossain appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, advocate Aminul Islam, advocate Zakir Hossain and advocate Maqsud Ullah represented the former prime minister.

Khaleda was sentenced to seven years in prison in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case in October 2018.

The court also sentenced three other defendants to seven years in prison. Khaleda and each of them were fined Tk 1 million. In addition, an order was issued to confiscate 42 kathas of land in Kakrail purchased in the name of the trust and hand it over to the government.

Later, Khaleda Zia appealed against this verdict. Then, on November 27 last year, the High Court acquitted her.

On February 23, the state and the ACC moved the Appellate Division against her acquittal. The hearing was scheduled for today (March 2).