The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has started hearing on an appeal filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The full bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, heard the arguments of both sides on Tuesday.

The apex court adjourned the hearing for today.

Senior lawyers Advocate Zainul Abedin, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Md Badruddoza Badal, Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Barrister Kaiser Kamal and Advocate Gazi Qamrul Islam Sazal represented Khaleda Zia in the court.

On the other hand, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Additional Attorney Generals Mohammad Arshadur Rouf and Aneek Rushd Haque appeared for the state, while Advocate Md Asif Hasan argued in favour of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Khaleda Zia’s lawyers sought to overturn both the lower court and the High Court verdicts, terming them unlawful.

“We have argued that the prosecution was not able to show any document proving that Begum Khaleda Zia approved any note, or signed any cheques; they could not show any signature of the former prime minister on any government documents. Even the fund, we are talking about, is in the bank intact,” said Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon.

“This infamous case was filed as part of a political scheme. The lower court concerned gave its verdict illegally. The High Court after that being politically biased, gave its verdict illegally, after holding a one-sided hearing,” said Barrister Kayser Kamal.

The BNP chief filed the appeal with the apex court, challenging the High Court verdict that extended her five-year jail term to 10 years in the Zia Orphanage Trust case filed by the ACC.

On 11 November 2024, the Supreme Court allowed two leave-to-appeal petitions filed by Khaleda Zia, staying the High Court order extending her jail term.

During that hearing, ACC lawyer Md Asif Hasan said, “No money had been embezzled from Zia Orphanage Trust.”

On the other hand, Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Advocate Zainul Abedin argued that the High Court’s verdict increasing her sentence was flawed and based on incorrect legal interpretation.

On 8 February 2018, the Dhaka Special Judge's Court-5, headed by Md Akhtaruzzaman (currently a judge of the High Court Division who is on leave), sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. Khaleda Zia landed in jail after the special court had sentenced her.

The same verdict handed 10-year sentence to Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, former Magura MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and three others.

Subsequently, on 30 October 2018, in response to an appeal by the ACC, the High Court increased the sentence for the BNP chief to 10 years.

On 6 August, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, the High Court has dismissed several cases filed against the former prime minister.