Zia Orphanage Trust graft case: HC grants Khaleda four-month interim bail

The High Court has granted a four-month interim bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia who is serving a five-year jail term for corruption in the Zia Orphanage Trust.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim gave the decision on Monday after receiving the case documents from the trial court on Sunday.

The former prime minister has been in the old Dhaka Central Prison on Nazimuddin Road for 32 days since Feb 8 when a special court found her guilty of graft.

The State opposed the bail petition, arguing that the appeal would be heard quickly and so there would be no need for bail.

The High Court, however, granted Khaleda bail, citing four reasons:

1.  The bail term is less than the five-year prison sentence by the trial court.

2.  The case documents have arrived at the High Court, but preparations for an appeal are not yet complete, allowing the convict to be granted bail.

3.  Khaleda Zia was previously out on bail in this case and did not misuse it, appearing in court according to its instructions.

4.  Bail can be granted in consideration of the convict’s age and age-related health conditions.

The High Court ordered the paperbook for the appeal to be made within the time of her bail.

Either side can submit appeal for hearing when the paperbook is ready, the court said.