Khaleda's jail term extended to 10yrs from 5
The High Court on Tuesday extended the jail term of BNP chief Khaleda Zia to 10 years from five years in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
A two-member HC bench, led by Justice Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman, pronounced the verdict.
The HC also upheld 10 years jail term of two other convicts -- Kazi Solimul Haque Kamal and Sarfuddin Ahmed.
On February 8, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman jailed Khaleda for five years and her son Tarique Rahman and four others for 10 years in the case.
According to UNB, Khaleda's lawyers had petitioned for her acquittal in an appeal, while the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) called for extending her jail term to life term imprisonment.
While talking to reporters, ACC lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan said, "Now, there's no chance for the BNP chief to contest the next general election."
Earlier on Monday morning, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court rejected a petition filed by the BNP chief seeking time extension for disposal of the appeal petition and another one seeking deposition by more witnesses in the graft case, directing for disposing of the appeal by October 31.
The BNP chief filed a petition challenging the court verdict sentencing her to five years' imprisonment in the graft case.
The ACC filed a revision appeal seeking her sentence to be extended to life imprisonment.
Khaleda secured four months' bail from the High Court in the case on March 12.
Khaleda filed the petition with the High Court against her sentence on February 19, while two more convicts -- Kazi Solimul Haque Kamal and Sarfuddin Ahmed -- also appealed against their sentences.
The ailing BNP chief is now undergoing medical treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
