Appea Hearing Against Khaleda Zia's Acquittal on Mar 3

The Appellate Division has set Monday, March 3, for the hearing of the appeal filed by the state and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's acquittal in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. The High Court had previously overturned her seven-year prison sentence in this case.

On Sunday, March 2, a three-member Appellate Division bench led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam issued the order following a petition from the ACC’s legal team.

Representing the ACC in court was lawyer Asif Hossain, while Khaleda Zia was defended by Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, Advocate Aminul Islam, Advocate Zakir Hossain, and Advocate Maksud Ullah.

Earlier, on February 23, both the state and the ACC filed an appeal with the Appellate Division challenging Khaleda Zia's acquittal. The hearing was initially set for March 2.

In the previous hearing, the state was represented by Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R. Haque, while Khaleda Zia's legal team included Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, and Advocate Maksud Ullah.

The High Court delivered its verdict on November 27, 2024, acquitting Khaleda Zia along with Ziaul Islam, the former private secretary of Haris Chowdhury, and Monirul Islam Khan, the former private secretary of late ex-mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka. The state and the ACC later appealed against this ruling.

On October 29, 2018, the Dhaka Special Judge Court-5, presided over by Judge Md. Akhtaruzzaman (now a High Court judge), sentenced Khaleda Zia to seven years in prison in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. She was also fined Tk 1 million, with an additional six months of imprisonment in case of non-payment. The same sentence was imposed on three other accused individuals.

The co-accused were Haris Chowdhury (deceased), his then-private secretary Ziaul Islam Munna, and Monirul Islam Khan, the former private secretary of ex-mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka. At the time of the verdict, Haris Chowdhury was absconding and later passed away. The other defendants appealed their convictions.

The case originated on August 8, 2010, when the ACC filed a complaint at Tejgaon Police Station, alleging the misappropriation of Tk 31.54 million under the name of the Zia Charitable Trust. Following an investigation, the ACC submitted a charge sheet in 2012 against Khaleda Zia and three others. On March 19, 2014, charges were formally framed against them. After completing witness testimonies and hearing arguments, the court delivered its verdict on October 19, 2018.