A k Amrul Parvez Amran:
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, convicted in two cases of corruption, is on interim bail under two conditions by the government’s executive order. Meanwhile, the lower court sentenced him to five years imprisonment on February 8, 2018 in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. After the verdict was announced, he was taken to the Old Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road in Old Dhaka on the same day. On October 30 of the same year, the High Court sentenced him to 10 years, increasing the sentence by another five years in an appeal against the verdict of the lower court. On October 29 of that year, Khaleda was sentenced to seven years in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
In addition to these two cases of corruption, there are a total of 35 cases against Khaleda Zia. In between, he is regularly appearing in court through lawyers in GATCO, NAICO, Barapukuria corruption case and Gulshan bomb attack case. 11 cases of sabotage and sedition are suspended in the High Court. In the rest of the cases, he is applying for time through the lawyer as he is unable to appear due to illness.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia served nearly 25 months in prison after February 8, 2018 in two cases of corruption. He returned home on the afternoon of March 25, 2020 with interim release by the executive order of the government in view of the request of the family when the corona epidemic started in the country. After that, he has been staying at ‘Firoza’, Gulshan’s house in the capital for more than three and a half years. In between, he was seen going to and from the hospital due to physical ailments. 77-year-old Khaleda Zia has various complications related to aging including arthritis, diabetes, eye problems. He was finally admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on the evening of August 9. Currently undergoing treatment there.
In the meantime, the government has suspended Khaleda Zia’s sentence in the corruption case and extended her release period by another six months under the previous two conditions. A notification has recently been issued by the Security Services Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs extending the period of release. Earlier, the Law Ministry gave an opinion on extending the period of release by suspending his sentence. On September 10, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque told reporters at the secretariat.
According to the notification, as before, Khaleda Zia will receive treatment from her residence in Dhaka and during this time she will not be able to go outside the country – the period of suspension of sentence has been extended on these two conditions. With this, Khaleda Zia’s release period has been extended for the eighth time by the government’s executive order.
Of the 35 cases currently pending against Khaleda Zia, 13 were filed by the One/Eleven government during 2007-08. The rest are later. Out of these, five corruption cases, four defamation cases and one sedition case. The remaining cases are for murder, arson and sabotage. The current judicial status of those cases has come up in this report.
Zia Orphanage Trust Case
Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018 by the Special Judge Court No. 5 of Dhaka established at Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa ground. After the verdict, Khaleda was kept in the Old Central Jail located on Nazimuddin Road in Old Dhaka. Then on October 30, the High Court increased his sentence by another five years to 10 years on appeal in this case.
Zia Charitable Trust Case
On October 29, 2018, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case by the Special Judge Court No. 5 of Dhaka. In addition to seven years imprisonment, he was sentenced to a fine of Tk 10 lakh, in default of payment, he was also sentenced to six months imprisonment.
NAICO corruption case
On December 9, 2007, the ACC filed this case in the Tejgaon police station of the capital, alleging that the Canadian energy company Niko had an opaque contract for gas exploration and extraction and caused damage to the state of about 10 thousand crores. On May 5, 2008, the ACC filed a charge sheet against 11 people including Khaleda Zia in this case. Currently the case is under trial in Dhaka Special Judge Court-9.
Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the concerned court started the official trial in this case on March 19 of this year. Then on May 23, the plaintiff in the case, the then assistant director of the ACC, Muhammad Mahbubul Alam, gave his statement. After that, the testimony of the case started. Last September 12, he gave a statement like the second day in the court. He was then questioned by the defense lawyers. As the interrogation of the accused was not completed, the next interrogation and testimony was held on September 17. On that day, the court allowed one of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and two of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police to testify against eight people including Khaleda Zia in this case. October 10 is scheduled for the next hearing.
GATCO corruption case
On September 2, 2007, the then Deputy Director of ACC Golam Shahriar Chowdhury filed a case against 13 people including Khaleda Zia and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko in the Tejgaon police station on charges of embezzlement of around Tk 1,000 crore during transactions with Global Agro Trade (Private) Company Limited (GATCO). Khaleda Zia and Coco were arrested the day after the case. The ACC filed a charge sheet against 24 people including Khaleda Zia on May 13 of the following year. However, their names have been withdrawn from the case due to the death of 9 accused including Koko.
It is said in the charge sheet of this case, the accused caused a loss of 14 crore 56 lakh 37 thousand 616 rupees to the state by getting the work of container handling of Kamalapur ICD of the capital and Chittagong Port to the contracting company GATCO in collusion with each other. The case is currently at the stage of complaint formation hearing.
Finally, on August 29, the hearing date of the case was scheduled in the court of Judge Ali Hossain of Dhaka’s No. 3 Special Court. But the defendant in the case. As Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain is abroad for treatment, his lawyer applied for postponement of the hearing. However, Khaleda Zia appeared through her lawyer. The court allowed the time application and fixed September 24 as the new date of hearing.
Barapukuria Coal Mine Case
This case was filed on February 26, 2008 in Shahbag police station on allegations of irregularities in appointment of contractors for mining, management and maintenance of coal from Dinajpur’s Barapukuria mine and loss and embezzlement of Tk 158.71 crore of the state. On October 5 of that year, the ACC filed a charge sheet against 15 accused including Khaleda Zia.
At present, the case is at the stage of hearing the complaint in Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-2. Finally, on August 8, the judge of the temporary Dhaka Special Judge Court-2 established in Keraniganj Prison. In the court of Aktaruzzaman, the hearing of the complaint of this case began. On that day, Khaleda’s lawyer appeared on behalf of Zia. Then ACC Public Prosecutor (PP) Mosharraf Hossain Kajal held a hearing to frame the charges.
On the other hand, on behalf of Moinul Ahsan, the accused in the case, his lawyer asked for exemption. The court fixed September 26 for the next hearing of the accused.
Case of false birthday
On August 30, 2016, Gazi Zahirul Islam, the former Joint General Secretary of Dhaka Journalists’ Union filed this case in the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, alleging that the celebration of Khaleda Zia’s birthday on August 15 was ‘fake’. The court has taken into account the police report in the case. Last September 14 was the date of hearing of the charge sheet. However, since Khaleda Zia is sick, lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukdar applied for time on her behalf. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Sohag Uddin approved the application and fixed October 18 for hearing the complaint.
Cases of distortion of map, national flag
A case was filed in Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in November 2016 on charges of distorting Bangladesh’s map, national flag and the history of the Liberation War. The case is now at the stage of complaint formation hearing. Last September 14 was the date of hearing of the charge sheet. However, since Khaleda Zia is sick, lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukdar applied for time on her behalf. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Sohag Uddin approved the application and fixed October 18 for hearing the complaint.
Case of questioning contribution of Bangabandhu
On December 21, 2015, a case was filed in the Chief Metropolitan Court of Dhaka for giving misleading information about the contribution of Bangabandhu in the liberation war and the number of martyrs in a discussion meeting organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Fighters Party. The case is at the stage of hearing of complaint formation.
Two cases of injuring religious sentiments
On October 10, 2014, a statement by Khaleda Zia was accused of hurting the religious feelings of people of different classes and professions and of different religions in Bangladesh and creating ethnic differences. Later, a case was filed in the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court. This case is also pending hearing of complaint formation.
11 cases of Darus Salam police station
Darus Salam police station filed 11 cases against Khaleda Zia for vandalizing vehicles, obstructing police work and vandalism in the area adjacent to Gabtali Sand Field and Mirpur Mazar Road in the capital from January to March 2015. Although the cases were taken up for trial in the special judge’s court in Dhaka’s Bakshibazar, its proceedings are currently suspended by the order of the High Court.
4 cases of Jatrabari police station
In January 2015, four cases were registered against Khaleda Zia at Jatrabari police station in connection with the arson, killing and injuries of four persons by hurling petrol bombs. These cases are also in abeyance by order of the High Court.
3 cases in Comilla
On January 25, 2015, a covered van was set on fire and several nearby cars were vandalized in Hyderpool area of Chauddagram on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Later, one case under the Special Powers Act, one case under the Explosives Control Act and one case of murder were registered in Chauddagram police station on January 25, 2015. All three cases are pending for a charge-sheet hearing.
Case of burning 8 passengers
A case was filed against Khaleda Zia and 55 activists of BNP in connection with the burning of eight passengers in a petrol bomb thrown by miscreants on a passenger night coach in Chauddagram of Comilla on February 3, 2015, during the continuous strike-blockade called by the 20-party alliance including BNP-Jamaat. The then SI Nuruzzaman of Chauddagram police station filed the case as the plaintiff. In the case, 56 people were charged in the court.
A case of sedition
On January 25, 2016, Supreme Court lawyer Momtaz Uddin Ahmed Mehdi filed a sedition case against Khaleda Zia for creating controversy about the number of martyrs in the Great War of Liberation of 1971. The trial of the case, which is ongoing in the special judge’s court in Dhaka’s Bakshibazar, has also been suspended by the order of the High Court.
Three defamation cases
A defamation case was filed against Khaleda Zia for making false statements about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and her information technology adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy while addressing a Nationalist Workers Party rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on May 1, 2016. Bangladesh Jannetri Parishad President AB Siddiqui filed the case under Section 500/153-A of the Penal Code in Dhaka Judicial Court. The case is currently awaiting a police report.
In addition, on May 3, 2016, Shariful Alam Chowdhury, president of Comilla’s Muradnagar Upazila Committee of Amara Muktijoddha’s children’s organization, filed a defamation case against Khaleda Zia for 1 crore taka against the allegation that Sajib Wazed Joy has 300 million US dollars in his account. In the case, Khaleda Zia’s statement was mentioned as false. The case is pending report in the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate, Comilla.
Khaleda Zia said in the speech given at the foundation anniversary ceremony of the Chhatra Dal at the Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital on December 31, 2016, that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not want the country’s independence. He wanted the Prime Ministership of Pakistan. The people of this country went to war after General Ziaur Rahman declared independence. In that meeting, he also gave a controversial speech about the martyrs of the Liberation War. In view of this statement, on January 25, 2017, Jannetri Parishad President AB Siddiqui filed a defamation case against Khaleda Zia in Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The case is currently pending for a charge-sheet hearing.
Narail defamation case
A defamation case was filed against Khaleda Zia in Narail on December 24, 2015 for commenting on the number of martyrs in the Liberation War. On that day Raihan Faruqi, son of the freedom fighter family of Chapail village under Naragati police station of the district filed this case in the district judge court of Imam Narail. The case happened in Dhaka. On that day, Khaleda Zia made a speech in an event without mentioning the number of martyrs and Bangabandhu’s name. The police has also submitted a report in this case.
Panchgarh sabotage case
A case was filed against Khaleda Zia, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on charges of bomb attacks and sabotage in different parts of the country including Boda Upazila of Panchagarh. The case was filed on February 5, 2015 by Salim Sohag, General Secretary of Boda Upazila Volunteer League.
Debtor’s case
Khaleda Zia’s elder son Tariq Rahman and younger son Arafat Rahman sued Koko by Sonali Bank. After Koko’s death, Khaleda Zia was made a party in that case. On October 2, 2013, Sonali Bank official Nazrul Islam filed this case in the Financial Debt Court of Dhaka, alleging Tk 45 crore 59 lakh 37 thousand 295. On February 2, 2016, the Acting Judge of the First Finance Court of Dhaka, Fatema Ferdous, framed the complaint in this case and ordered the trial to begin. The case is adjourned by order of the High Court.
Gulshan bombing case
A case was filed against Khaleda Zia as an accused in the case of bomb explosion in the procession of Workers-Employees-Professional-Freedom Fighters Coordination Council led by Awami League presidium member Shajahan Khan in Gulshan of the capital. Besides BNP leader Shirin Sultana, Chairperson’s then press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohail, 14 others were named and 65-70 others were accused in the case. Ismail Hossain, the leader of Road Transport Owners-Labor Union Association, filed this case at Gulshan police station in connection with the attack on February 16, 2015. The case is awaiting submission of the police report in Dhaka Magistrate Court.
Case of murder of 42 people
A case was filed against Khaleda Zia and several senior leaders of the party on February 2, 2015, accusing them of murdering 42 people who died as a result of political violence during the movement of the 20-party alliance. Bangladesh Jannetri Parishad president AB Siddiqui filed the case in Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The case is currently awaiting a police report.
Regarding the case against Khaleda Zia, ACC Public Prosecutor (PP) Mosharraf Hossain Kajol told Jago News that the trial of GATCO, NAICO and Barapukuria corruption cases against Khaleda Zia is ongoing. The ACC is scrambling to complete the prosecution of the cases.
Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (PP) Abdullah Abu Jago told News that Khaleda Zia filed time applications without appearing in court due to illness in some cases. As he did not appear in court, the judicial proceedings of the case are not proceeding.
Regarding these cases, Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Syed Zainul Abedin Mejbah told Jago News that about 35 cases are currently ongoing across the country against the BNP chairperson. Among them, Khaleda Zia is being represented by lawyers in GATCO, NAICO, Barapukuria corruption case and Gulshan bomb attack case. I inform the court that 11 cases on charges of sabotage and sedition are pending in the High Court. In the rest of the cases, Khaleda Zia was unable to appear in court due to illness and time was applied for.
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