SC rejects Khaleda’s leave to appeal

Staff Correspondent: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) rejected the leave to appeal filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking fresh recording of deposition of 11 state witnesses of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

A five-member bench headed by acting Chief Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah passed the order on Thursday.

On Monday, the SC concluded the hearing and set today (Thursday) for delivering verdict.

Badrudduza Badal, counsel of Khaleda Zia, said the Appellate Division rejected the leave to appeal filed against HC order that disposed the petition filed by Khaleda Zia for fresh recording of deposition of witnesses.

The apex court on October 30 passed ‘no order’ on a petition filed by Khaleda Zia and cleared way for the continuation of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Later, Khaleda filed leave to appeal.

On October 22, the High Court disposed with observation the petition filed by Khaleda Zia seeking its directive for recording deposition of nine witnesses of state.

Besides, the HC rejected an appeal filed for re-examining two witnesses of the case.

Later, on October 24, Khaleda filed petition with the Supreme Court against the HC order.

After a hearing, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain sent the petition to the full bench of the apex court for its hearing.

The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 9, 2017/Mehadi/Amirul