Hasina refers to Quran to criticise Khaleda over orphanage fund embezzlement

Sheikh Hasina has cited the holy book to criticise Khaleda Zia harshly over the BNP chief’s conviction for corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 Feb 2018, 03:58 PM
Updated : 22 Feb 2018, 04:41 PM

“Even the Holy Quran says, ‘Don’t steal orphans money and give them their share’,” the prime minister said at a rally in Rajshahi on Thursday, speaking about the degree of the offences Khaleda is sentenced for.

“She (Khaleda) could not give the orphans their share in 27 years. She kept the money with herself and now she is being punished for this,” she added, referring to the five-year jail term of the former prime minister.

Khaleda is in jail now after a special court in Dhaka issued the verdict in the case on Feb 8, also sentencing her son and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, and four others for embezzling Tk 21 million of the trust.

The BNP is holding protests demanding her acquittal, alleging the government orchestrated the trial to keep her and the party away from the next general elections scheduled for the end of this year.

Awami League chief Hasina criticised the BNP for hitting the street to demand the release of a convict.

“The BNP leaders have launched a movement but for what purpose? For the release of their leader who has been thrown into jail for stealing money. A movement waged for a thief!” Hasina said.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Awami League organised the rally at the Rajshahi Government Madrasa ground.

“The BNP can never do good to the people, it can only loot. They brought money from abroad, saying they would build an orphanage.

“Where is the orphanage? No-one knows its address. They have embezzled the money,” the Awami League president said.

“Have the orphans received one taka from the money yet? No, they haven’t,” she said.

A piece of land was bought with Zia Orphanage Trust money in Bogra but no orpjhanage was set up there.

The BNP claims the money had been deposited in bank and it grew with interests.

“They (BNP) say the money for the orphans has grown with interests? Who have got the interests?” Hasina asked before answering thw question herself, ”Khaleda Zia and her family have pocketed them by depriving the orphans.”

“Looting, stealing are their nature,” she added.

The prime minister also sought vote for the Awami League at the rally.