Khaleda bail on hold as top court allows govt, ACC to open appeals

The Appellate Division has allowed the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission to start appeals against the bail granted to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia by the High Court.

The latest order issued by the top court on Monday means the bail will remain suspended until May 8.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda was sentenced to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by a special trial court on Feb 8. She has since been serving the jail term.

High Court judges granted a four-month interim bail to Khaleda on Mar 12, after her lawyers filed appeals.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, who led the four-member bench on Monday, said it was a collective decision.

Khaleda’s counsels have described the top court’s decision as “unprecedented” and “unexpected”.

“It’s the top court’s order. There is no other way but to fight legally. Or, we can take it out on the streets. We will try our best to get her out of jail,” said Moudud Ahmed, one of Khaleda’s attorneys.

BNP Vice-Chairman Zainul Abedin accused the government of influencing the courts.  

“They seem to be targeting the High Court. People will eventually lose faith in the judiciary if things go on like this. We are deeply saddened,” said Abedin, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

At the beginning of the hearing on Monday, the judges fixed May 22 for the state and the ACC to submit a summary of their appeals.

The date was later changed to May 8 as requested by Advocate Abedin.

When Abedin asked the court about the reason for the order, the chief justice said: “We have reviewed the dossier.”

On this, Abedin said: “We have to accept the decision as it came from the top court. But this is unprecedented.”

He asked the court to set a date in April saying May 22 is too far. Finally, the chief justice set May 8 for hearing the appeals.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, who was present in court, said: “Khaleda’s lawyers are trying to politicalise the entire thing.”

LAST-DITCH EFFORTS

Khaleda’s lawyer Jamiruddin Sircar begged the court to finish hearing the matter before the bench goes on vacation.

To this, the chief justice said: “I assure you that the case is on top of the agenda for May 8. It will be heard thoroughly and the matter will be disposed of by May 9.”

ACC’s lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan was also present in court.