Khaleda’s bail petition rejected

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has rejected the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail petition in Zia Charitable Trust Graft Case.

A six-member Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order on Thursday noon.

The bench started hearing on the bail petition at 10.25am and passed an order at 11.05am that it would be deferred until 11.30am.

After that time, the bench of the Appellate Division again started hearing on the bail petition at 11.30am.

The Appellate Division of Supreme Court allowed 60 lawyers of both sides to participate in the bail petition hearing of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to avoid any unprecedented outcry like December 5.  During the hearing on that day, BNP lawyers locked into an altercation and began unprecedented outcry. As a result, judges left the courtroom.

On December 5, the bench fixed December 12 for hearing on the bail petition as Khaleda’s medical report was not submitted before it.

Earlier on November 28, the Appellate Division directed to submit former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s medical report by December 5. But the hospital authorities did not submit any medical report.

Khaleda moved the apex court on November 14 challenging a High Court order that turned down her bail petition in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

The High Court on September 11 rejected Khaleda’s bail petition in the case. Her bail petitions were turned down twice earlier on July 31 and September 3.

On August 8, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Charitable Trust case with Tejgaon police against four people, including Khaleda. They were accused of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

Meanwhile, heavy security measures were taken in the Supreme Court ahead of announcing bail order.

 
Dhaka/Mahadi/Mukul