Dhaka, Nov 11 (V7N) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has suspended the 10-year prison sentence handed to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia by the High Court in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Additionally, the Appellate Division has granted Khaleda Zia leave to appeal against the High Court's verdict, allowing her to challenge the sentence formally.

The ruling was issued on Monday by a three-member bench headed by Senior Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam of the Appellate Division.

The Zia Orphanage Trust case was initiated in July 2008 when the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed charges against six individuals, including Khaleda Zia, at Dhaka’s Ramna Police Station. The case alleged embezzlement of government funds designated for the trust. Following an investigation, a charge sheet was filed in 2009, with charges officially framed in March 2014.

In February 2018, a trial court initially sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years in prison and imposed a fine. Khaleda Zia then appealed to the High Court, which subsequently increased her sentence to ten years. In response, she filed two leave-to-appeal petitions with the Appellate Division in 2019. After years of delay, a hearing on her petitions took place on Sunday, leading to Monday’s decision by the Appellate Division.

During the recent hearing, ACC lawyer Asif Hasan emphasized that Khaleda Zia had not personally embezzled trust funds, noting that the money remains within the trust’s account. After hearing both sides, the court scheduled November 11 for its decision.

Following the recent change in government, President Md. Shahabuddin commuted Khaleda Zia’s sentences in both the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust cases. Despite the commutation, Khaleda Zia’s legal team explained her decision to continue appealing, stating that she seeks a legal resolution rather than a presidential pardon, as she maintains her innocence.

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