SC suspends Khaleda's 10-year jail sentence in corruption case

SC suspends Khaleda's 10-year jail sentence in corruption case

Nov 11, 2024 - 11:36
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SC suspends Khaleda's 10-year jail sentence in corruption case
SC suspends Khaleda's 10-year jail sentence in corruption case

Today, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court's verdict that had increased BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s prison sentence from five to ten years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The Appellate Division also permitted Khaleda to appeal the High Court's decision. The order was issued by a three-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, after hearing two separate petitions for leave to appeal, filed by Khaleda challenging the High Court judgment.

The Supreme Court has now directed Khaleda’s legal team to submit concise statements within two weeks, outlining the points for their arguments on the appeal.

Khaleda, a former prime minister, submitted her petitions for leave to appeal on March 14, 2019, through her lawyer, requesting that the court overturn the ten-year sentence imposed by the High Court. According to Khaleda’s lawyer, Kayser Kamal, and BNP’s Legal Affairs Secretary, Kayser Kamal, Khaleda has faced 37 cases under various charges, including corruption, violence, arson, defamation, and sedition, filed during the tenures of the previous military-backed caretaker government and the administration led by Sheikh Hasina.

Among these cases, the High Court dismissed 12 on October 30 and 31 this year. Additionally, courts in various districts have previously dismissed nine defamation cases, and the president has pardoned her sentences in two cases. Currently, Khaleda is out on bail in all remaining cases against her.

Khaleda was initially imprisoned on February 8, 2018, after a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five years in prison. Following an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission, the High Court extended the sentence to ten years on October 30.

After being under house arrest for five years, Khaleda was released on August 6 of this year when President Mohammed Shahabuddin granted her clemency in two cases, using his powers under Article 49 of the Constitution. The decision was made following a recommendation from the law ministry, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid mass protests.

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