Dhaka, Mar 19 (Just News): Attorney General (AG) Mahbubey Alam on Monday said that in the current context, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is unlikely to get freed on bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Talking to the reporters at his office the AG said "The court earlier set May 22, to hear Khaleda Zia's leave to appeal petition. Later the date was differed to May 8 over her lawyer's appeal."
"Now considering this order, it's unlikely for her (Khaleda Zia) to get bail. She has to serve in jail", he said.
Referring the Khaleda's lawyer's claim that the court's order was unprecedented, Mahbubey Alam said "They are trying to politicise the matter, the court sentences Khaleda giving due considerations to the rights she is entitled to."
"Considering Khalede's social standing she was sentenced for five years jail which proves that the court showed enough deliberation in its justice, though the others were sentenced for 10 years", he added.
Meanwhile, Khaleda's lawyer Joynul Abedin said "We think it is an unprecedented order. We never heard of it or hoped for it. As the highest court delivered the order, we have no alternatives but to fight in legal way."
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the morning stayed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's bail till May 8 in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
The SC also allowed to state and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to file petitions against HC order that granted bail to Khaleda fixing May 8 for next hearing.
Earlier on Sunday the Supreme Court fixed Monday to deliver its judgment over the on leave to appeal petitions challenging BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's bail that the High Court granted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Earlier on March 15, the ACC and the state filed two leave to appeal petitions before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's bail that the High Court granted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Earlier on March 14, the Supreme Court stayed until Sunday a High Court order granting a four-month interim bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
On March 12, the High Court granted the interim bail to Khaleda Zia.
On February 22 last, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia filed a petition with the High Court seeking bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. On the day, the HC asked the lower court to submit all the relevant documents within 15 days.
On February 8 last, the Dhaka Special Court-5 convicted the former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson and sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. She was then sent to old central jail at Nazimuddin Road in the city.
(Justnews/ys/2010hr)
