The Appellate Division has acquitted all convicts, including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.
A five-judge appellate bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the verdict on Wednesday, January 15.
Senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Badruddoza Badal, Ruhul Quddus Kajal, and Kaiser Kamal represented Khaleda Zia during the appeal hearing.
Lawyers Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan and Maqsud Ullah were also present on her legal team.
Senior lawyer SM Shahjahan appeared on behalf of Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, a co-accused in the case.
Representing the state, Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rouf and lawyer Anik R Haque presented their arguments. Lawyer Asif Hasan appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
In November 2024, the SC had stayed the High Court's decision after granting leave to appeal. Lawyers for Khaleda Zia have argued that the prosecution failed to present any evidence linking her to the approval of funds or fraudulent activities in the case.
They claim the funds remain intact in the bank, and the charges were politically motivated.
Khaleda Zia was convicted in February 2018 for embezzling funds from the Zia Orphanage Trust, leading to her five-year sentence. The High Court later extended the term to 10 years.
BDST: 1012 HRS, JAN 15, 2025
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