Prop-BNP lawyers on Wednesday alleged that the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had to tolerate humiliation and suffering in jail resulting in the deprivation of proper medical treatment for years following the false charges brought against her in connection the Zia Orphanage Trust case.
"There was no evidence to support the allegations in this case. Khaleda Zia was humiliated for years because of the false charges. She not only suffered in jail but was also deprived of receiving proper medical treatment due to the false charges brought against her in the case," Senior Advocate Zainul Abedin, one of the counsels for BNP chief Khaleda Zia, submitted the arguments before the apex court while hearing on the appeals. The Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed concluded the hearing on the appeals for second day and adjourned till Thursday.
Khaleda's counsel, Advocate AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, told the court that the case was politically motivated and lacked substantive evidence. Barrister Mahbub Uddin urged the apex court to accept the appeal and acquit Khaleda of the charges.
Earlier on the day, Barrister Kayser Kamal, another of Khaleda's lawyers, argued that the High Court's decision was politically driven and intended to bar her from participating in elections. The apex court on November 11, 2024, allowed two leave to appeal petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, staying the High Court order that extended her five-year jail term to 10 in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
"This infamous case was filed with a political scheme. The lower court concerned in February 2018, gave the judgment illegally. The High Court after that being politically biased, gave a judgment illegally, enhanced Begum Khaleda Zia's five-year jail term to 10 years after holding a one-sided hearing," Barrister Kayser Kamal said earlier.
