BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been acquitted of the 10-year prison sentence handed down in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.
The Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed and comprising five justices, delivered the unanimous verdict, overturning the decisions of both the lower court and the High Court on Wednesday (15 January).
The court ruled that the charges were driven by vindictive motives, aiming to tarnish Khaleda Zia’s reputation.
Alongside her, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and other accused individuals were also acquitted of all charges.
Zia Orphanage Trust, established under the name of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman for charitable purposes, became embroiled in controversy over funds received in 1991 from the Emir of Kuwait for the Prime Minister's Orphan Fund.
The funds, deposited in a Sonali Bank account, were alleged to have been misappropriated as they were not distributed to any orphanages within the subsequent two years.
In 1993, the funds were allocated to the Bogura and Bagerhat branches of the newly formed Zia Orphanage Trust.
The case gained momentum during the caretaker government’s regime, with allegations emerging in 2007 accusing the Zia family of embezzling approximately Tk21 million from the fund.
Formal charge sheet was filed in 2009, although the case's proceedings were temporarily stayed by higher courts until they resumed in 2014.
On 8 February 2018, the Special Judge's Court in Old Dhaka delivered a 632-page verdict, sentencing Khaleda Zia to five years of rigorous imprisonment, which was later extended to ten years by the High Court.
This led to her incarceration until today's landmark acquittal by the Supreme Court, bringing an end to the prolonged legal battle.
