The Supreme Court today (Nov 11) stayed the High Court order that had increased BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's prison sentence from five to ten years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court also permitted Khaleda Zia to file an appeal against the High Court's ruling.

A three-judge panel of the Appellate Division, led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, issued the stay order after hearing two separate petitions for leave to appeal, submitted by Khaleda Zia challenging the High Court's decision.

Khaleda, a former prime minister, filed the petitions on March 14, 2019, through her lawyer, seeking to overturn the ten-year sentence handed down by the High Court.

She landed in jail on February 8, 2018, after a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five years in prison in connection with the case.

Subsequently, a petition was filed by the ACC, following which the HC on 30 October increased the punishment to 10 years' imprisonment

BDST: 1301 HRS, NOV 11, 2024
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