Dhaka, March 15 – The government and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Thursday filed separate leave-to- appeal petitions with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order that granted bail to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.The Attorney General’s office and the ACC both submitted separate petitions seeking extension of the Supreme Court order that stayed the High Court order granting bail to Khaleda Zia till Sunday.
Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Ekramul Haque Tutul told newsmen that the lower court found Khaleda Zia guilty of embezzling the money and awarded her five years’ imprisonment with fine. There is no scope for granting bail to the former premier on the grounds of old age, illness and social status, the DAG said. Tutul further said, the Appellate Division will hold hearing on the leave-to- appeal petition on Sunday.
Meanwhile, ACC Prosecutor Khurshid Alam Khan told the media men that Khaleda Zia did not submit any medical certificate in support of her claim that she has been suffering from various diseases. “Khaleda Zia has misused her bail as she went abroad during the trial proceedings of the lower court,” Advocate Khurshid Alam said.
The ACC lawyer also said, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the case which is not a short sentence and she cannot be granted bail on this ground also.
The High Court on February 8, granted 4 months’ bail to Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case in which she was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. She was given bail on four grounds which included- a short sentencing of five years, health condition and her facing trial proceedings.
Following two separate petitions filed by the ACC and the government the Appellate Division on March 14 stayed the High Court order of bail till Sunday. The apex court also asked the ACC and government to file separate leave-to- appeal petitions with the court against the High Court order by Sunday. – Special Correspondent
