Top court resumes hearing on Khaleda bail

The Supreme Court is hearing appeals by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the state challenging the High Court’s bail order for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for the second day.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Justice Muhammad Imman Ali, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and Justice Mirza Hussain Haider started the hearing at 9:15am Wednesday.

 As the judges started hearing the case on the first day, ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam presented his arguments on the appeal challenging the bail petition. Following Alam’s argument, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam presented his arguments on behalf of the state, assisted by Additional Attorney General Murad Reza.

After their arguments, AJ Mohamamd Ali who moved for Khaleda made his arguments and pleaded for her bail.

On Wednesday, Ali resumed his previously unfinished arguments. Senior pro-BNP lawyers Khandaker Mahbub Hossain and Zainul Abedin also argued for Khaleda’s bail.

Pro-BNP lawyers Moudud Ahmed, Jamir Uddin Sircar, Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Sanaullah Mia were also present during the hearing. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present in court.

The BNP chief has been in the old jailhouse on Nazimuddin Road since Feb 8 when a special court sentenced her to five years in prison for corruption in the orphanage trust.

The High Court on Mar 12 granted Khaleda a four-month interim bail, considering her age and health issues after the special court released the full verdict.

The government tightened measures around the court premises to maintain law and order.

The BNP chief has been in the old jailhouse on Nazimuddin Road since Feb 8 when a special court sentenced her to five years in prison for corruption in the orphanage trust.

The HC on Mar 12 granted Khaleda a four-month interim bail, considering her age and health issues after the special court released the full verdict.

When ACC and the State moved the Appellate Division, it suspended the bail order until May 8, allowing these two to start appeals against the bail.

The authorities formed a team of doctors to treat her and she was taken to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on Apr 7 for a checkup.

The 73-year-old former prime minister is suffering from problems in her heart, eyes and knee, her doctors earlier said. She is on regular medication.

The ACC had filed the corruption case with Ramna Police Station in 2008, accusing Khaleda of embezzling over Tk 20 million that came from a foreign bank as grants for orphans.