Case Summery on Begum Khaleda Zia Vs the State and another (2018/2019) 12 SCOB [2019] HCD

The High Court of Bangladesh observed in its ruling that Begum Khaleda Zia’s unauthorized use of her prime ministerial position to raise funds for a personal trust was unexpected.[1] The special court sentenced her to seven years in prison for misappropriation of the Zia Charitable Trust in her absence. She was initially sentenced to five years in prison for the Zia Orphanage Trust by the same court.[2] The High Court determined the outcome of her appeal. The orphanage trust was established between 1991 and 1996, and the other between 2001 and 2006, during her tenure as prime minister. Both were named after her late spouse, Ziaur Rahman, who was the founder of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and served as the former president. However, she was denied parole in each of the thirty-two cases.[3] After being granted bail but she was required to appeal the charitable corruption verdict at the High Court. Nevertheless, all the accusations were dismissed due to the President’s Prerogative of mercy, resulting in Begum Zia’s release on August 6, 2024, following the glorious ‘Quota Movement’.[4]