The administrative section of the Bangladesh Supreme Court on Wednesday found guilty of the corruption case involving the Zia Orphanage Trust, along with her son, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and four other defendants. They had previously been sentenced to 10 years ‘ prison in the case, which SC termed “malicious”.
There are no legal restrictions on the two-time former prime minister from contesting the future national elections following the ruling. Khaleda and her son are now based in London.
The higher court and trial court overturned the decisions rendered by SC during the administration of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Khaleda was given a five-year prison sentence by the prosecution judge, while Tarique and the other defendants each received ten years. Afterwards, HC doubled Khaleda’s word to 10 times while upholding trial court’s ruling for the other accused.
In its decision, SC observed that the trial of the Zia Orphanage Trust circumstance was “malicious” and noted that the accused, who did not appeal the HC conviction, may also benefit from this view “restoring their respect as honest people”.
A five-member chair of the administrative department, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the unanimous verdict. Following sessions on Kazi Kamal’s two appeals and Sharafuddin Ahmed’s personal appeals, the decision was made. Khaleda was first imprisoned on February 8, 2018, after receiving a five-year prison sentence from a special prosecutor in Dhaka for her involvement in the case. The various accused- Kazi Kamal, Sharafuddin, Kamal Uddin Siddique and Mominur Rahman- were sentenced to 10 years ‘ prison for misappropriating over BDT 2.1 billion, which was intended as foreign provides for orphans.
