Verdict copy: BNP chief Khaleda’s lawyers get assurance from judge

Judge Md Akhteruzzaman, who delivered a five-year jail term for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Feb 8, has assured her attorneys of handing over a copy of the verdict.

“The judge has assured us that our petition seeking the full copy of the verdict will be granted today,” Khaleda’s lawyer Advocate Taherul Islam Touhid told bdnews24.com on Sunday.

However, Mokarram Hossain, a court official, told bdnews24.com that the lawyers heard it wrong. “Judge told them that the copy would reach them tomorrow.”

Lawyers of the former prime minister had been waiting for the copy for more than a week to challenge the verdict in the High Court seeking bail for their client.
 
In his 632-page verdict, the judge convicted Khaleda of embezzling about Tk 20 million in funds in a case that involves the Zia Orphanage Trust.
 
The BNP is hopeful that their chief will be granted bail once an appeal is filed with the High Court.  
 
“The trial court must hand over the certified copy of the verdict within five days of receiving a petition,” Advocate Touhid said.
 
Khaleda was due to appear in the hearing of another graft case involving Barapukuria coal mine at the Second Special Judge’s Court in Bakshibazar in Old Dhaka on Sunday.
 
The inmate was not taken there.
 
Judge Hosne Ara has deferred the framing of charges in the case to Mar 25 following petitions seeking time.