The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the jail term of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia would not be extended in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case in which she was earlier sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Shahidul Karim issued the rule after hearing an appeal filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission seeking extension of Khaleda’s punishment.
The court also asked authorities concerned to respond to the rule within four weeks.
On Sunday, the ACC submitted the petition.
ZIA CHARITABLE TRUST CASE
Meanwhile, Judge Akhteruzzaman deferred a hearing in another graft case involving Zia Charitable Trust against the BNP chairperson on Wednesday.
Khaleda could not be taken to court, set up not far from the jail building in Old Dhaka, due to her physical ailments.
The judge extended Khaleda’s bail to Apr 5 on a petition by her counsel Sanaullah Mia.
ACC counsel Mosharraf Hossain said: “It is jail authorities’ duty to present Khaleda Zia in court.”
Security was beefed up around the special trial court.
On Aug 8, 2010 the ACC filed a case against four BNP leaders, including Khaleda, accusing them of embezzling Tk 31.54 million from the Zia Charitable Trust.