Former PM Khaleda’s counsels file appeal in HC against graft conviction

A day after receiving a copy of the trial court’s verdict convicting BNP chief Khaleda Zia, her counsels filed an appeal with the High Court challenging it.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 20 Feb 2018, 09:45 AM
Updated : 20 Feb 2018, 01:24 PM

The former prime minister has been found guilty in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and serving a five-year prison term in the old jailhouse in Dhaka since Feb 8.

On Tuesday, the necessary documents were filed with the High Court.

The 1,223-page dossier, which mentions Abdur Rezak Khan as the filing lawyer, cited 44 reasons for the acquittal of the three-time prime minister from the charges.

The BNP has been claiming that the case is a political scheme to shut its party chief out of the national election.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim will hear the matter on Thursday.

“If the court accepts the appeal, then we will file a bail petition that day,” said Moudud Ahmed, a senior BNP leader and one of Khaleda’s counsels.

Ten days after a special judge convicted Khaleda of corruption, her lawyers received a certified copy of the court’s verdict on Monday.

Her legal team gathered at the offices of former attorney general AJ Mohammad Ali the same day to discuss the grounds, which was followed by two rounds of meetings on Tuesday at the Supreme Court Bar Association’s office.

As Khaleda’s counsels were discussing legal points on Tuesday, a team led by Barrister Kaisar Kamal filed the documents with the High Court.

Later in the day, the matter was heard by the Justice Rahim and Justice Karim.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Zainul Abedin represented Khaleda, flanked by Moudud, Jamiruddin Sircar along with other senior pro-BNP lawyers.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam pleaded for a reschedule arguing that the state was yet to receive any document.

The court said it will hear the matter on Thursday as Wednesday is a public holiday.

It has also instructed the defence to provide the state and the Anti-Corruption Commission with copies of the appeal dossier by Tuesday.