Jumbangla Desk: The Appellate Division has granted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's leave to appeal against the 10-year sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. At the same time, Khaleda Zia's 10-year sentence in this case has been suspended.

Zia

Monday (November 11) Senior Judge of the Appellate Division. A three-judge bench led by Ashfaqul Islam gave the order.

The sentence will be suspended pending the disposal of Khaleda Zia's appeal hearing. Besides, the Supreme Court ordered Khaleda Zia to file the brief of the appeal within two weeks.

Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin heard on behalf of Khaleda Zia in the court. Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Qaiser Kamal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, Advocate Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, Advocate Aminul Islam, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Advocate Zakir Hossain, Advocate Siddique Ullah Mia, Barrister Sanjid Siddiqui were present in the court on behalf of Khaleda Zia.

Attorney General Md. was on the state's side in the court. Asaduzzaman. Advocate Asif Hossain appeared for the ACC.

Earlier on Sunday (November 10), leave to appeal was heard against Khaleda Zia's 10-year sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Monday (November 11) was fixed for the order at the end of the hearing.

Attorney General Md. was on the state's side in the hearing. Asaduzzaman. In this case, the statement given by the BNP chairperson in defense under section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code was brought up in the court and he said that his written statement was a milestone.

Judge of Special Judge Court-5 of Dhaka sentenced former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to five years rigorous imprisonment during the previous Awami League government's case filed by the ACC on charges of embezzlement of Tk 2 crore 10 lakhs by Zia Orphanage Trust. Akhtaruzzaman.

Apart from this, BNP acting chairperson Tariq Rahman and five other people were sentenced to different terms. The remaining four accused are former Chief Secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, former MP and businessman Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed and Ziaur Rahman's nephew Mominur Rahman.

At that time, the Appellate Division directed the High Court to dispose of Khaleda Zia's appeal within four months in view of the government's application.

Before the National Assembly elections in 2018, the High Court resolved the appeal and increased Khaleda Zia's sentence from five years to 10 years in this case. This judgment gave birth to various discussions in the political and legal arena.