The verdict on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's appeal in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case will be delivered on Wednesday. The Appellate Division concluded the hearing on the appeals of Khaleda and two others against their conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Tuesday. After four days of hearing, a five-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed fixed Wednesday to pronounce the judgment. The hearing on the appeals began on January 7, with the court addressing the separate appeals of Khaleda Zia, Sharafuddin Ahmed, and Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal. 63 lawyers get bail in case filed over Chinmoy issue Senior lawyers Joynul Abedin, Mahbub Uddin Khokon, M Badaruddin Badal, and Kaiser Kamal ,among others, represented Khaleda Zia during the hearing. Barrister Mohammad Ruhul Quddus Kajal appeared on behalf of Khaleda and Sharafuddin Ahmed, while senior lawyer SM Shahjahan represented Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal. Additional Attorney General Mohammad Arshadur Rauf and Aneekk R Haque represented the state while lawyer Asif Hasan represented the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Khaleda, also a former prime minister, filed the leave to appeal petitions with the Appellate Division on March 14, 2019 through his lawyer challenging the HC verdict. Khaleda Zia was initially imprisoned on 8 February 2018, when a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five years in prison for her involvement in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft incident. Later, in response to an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the High Court on October 30 of the same year, raised her jail term to 10 years. Appellate Division upholds HC's dismissal of 5 labour cases against Dr Yunus The graft case The Zia Orphanage Trust graft case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission in July 2008, accusing Khaleda of misappropriating over Tk2.10 crore that was received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank. In August 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing Khaleda and three others of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources and abusing power. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order by suspending her sentence on 25 March 2020, with the condition that she would stay at her Gulshan house and not leave the country. Clash on Ijtema ground: 21 including Saad’s follower get anticipatory bail Since then, her release term was extended every six months following the family's pleas. On August 6 last year, Khaleda Zia was completely freed by an order of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The President passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution, according to a gazette issued by the home ministry on August 6, last year.

Six more witnesses testified on Tuesday in the Niko corruption case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and seven others. Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-5 recorded the testimonies bringing the total number of witnesses heard in the case to 38 out of 68. The court scheduled the next date for witness testimony on January 21. IGP emphasizes maximum effort to combat crime in DMP’s monthly crime review meeting On December 9, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case accusing Khaleda and four others of causing a loss of Tk 137.77 billion to the state by signing an oil and gas exploration deal with Canadian company Niko on behalf of the state. The anti-graft body pressed charges in court against 11 people, including Khaleda, in May 2008. The other accused in the case are former principal secretary Kamal Uddin Siddique, Khandaker Shahidul Islam, CM Yusuf Hossain, former Bapex general manager Mir Mainul Haq, businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, former parliamentarian MAH Selim and former vice-president of South Asia affairs of Niko Kashem Sharif. Among the accused, BNP Standing Committee Member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former state minister AKM Mosharraf Hossain and former secretary of Bapex Shafiur Rahman died during the trial proceedings. Constable Sujan shown arrested in Chankharpul killing case On March 19 last year, the same court rejected a acquittal petition filed by the defendants and ordered the framing of charges against eight of the accused. Of the accused, Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, Mir Moynul Haque, and Kashem Sharif are absconding.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is set to fly to London tonight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar. “Madam (Khaleda) will leave her Gulshan residence around 8pm and is expected to reach the airport by 9pm,” said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell. Khaleda to be directly admitted to ‘London Clinic’ on arrival He said the BNP chief is scheduled to depart from the airport at 10pm, accompanied by her entourage, including six doctors from her medical team. Meanwhile, the BNP has issued special instructions to its leaders and activists to avoid causing any public inconvenience while bidding farewell to their beloved leader. Khaleda to go to London on Jan 7 for treatment: Fakhrul The party has requested the leaders and activists of its Dhaka South and North City units, along with all other affiliated organisations, to gather in an orderly manner on the footpaths to bid farewell to the former Prime Minister, without obstructing traffic or pedestrians. The party also revealed the route for Khaleda Zia's convoy to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to the route plan, the BNP chief will travel to the airport from her residence, Feroza, via the Gulshan-2 intersection and Banani-Kakoli crossing. To ensure security during Khaleda’s departure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has taken special measures, including deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB and SWAT teams. A special air ambulance dispatched by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has landed on the VIP tarmac at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:40pm on Monday to transport BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London. The Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance, designed for long-distance medical evacuations, is equipped with advanced medical facilities, making it a "flying ICU." It includes ventilators, defibrillators, infusion pumps and cardiac monitors, ensuring continuous care during transit. Oli Ahmed meets Khaleda Zia ahead of her London visit The aircraft features a spacious and customisable interior, with areas for stretchers, patient zones and seating for family or specialists. Onboard, a team of four physicians and paramedics is ready to handle emergencies. Besides, the A319's advanced climate control, soundproofing, and pressurised cabin ensure both patient comfort and safety, while real-time communication with ground experts enables the onboard medical team to provide continuous care. With its enhanced fuel capacity and ability to land on shorter runways, the A319 is perfectly suited for long-haul medical flights. Earlier on Monday, BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said Khaleda Zia will be directly admitted to “The London Clinic, an advanced medical centre in London, after arriving at Heathrow International Airport in the UK. He said Khaleda, along with her entourage—including six doctors from her medical team and four doctors from the air ambulance—will depart Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at 10pm on Tuesday for London via Doha. Dr Zahid said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife and BNP leaders from the UK chapter will welcome Khaleda upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport. The BNP leader said Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arranged for a special air ambulance from the royal fleet after learning of Khaleda’s illness. BNP standing committee to meet Khaleda Sunday ahead of London trip Tarique Rahman and his family have been living in London since 2008. This will be Khaleda Zia’s second overseas medical trip, following her 2017 visit to London for treatment. This will be her first reunion with her son Tarique in seven years, and her first overseas visit since she was freed from jail. Khaleda Zia has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be directly admitted to The London Clinic, an advanced medical centre in London, after arriving at Heathrow International Airport in the UK, her physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Monday. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said a special Royal Air Ambulance from the Emir of Qatar will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:30 pm today to transport Khaleda to London. Zahid, also a BNP standing committee member, said Khaleda, along with her entourage—including six doctors from her medical team and four doctors from the air ambulance—will depart Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at 10pm on Tuesday for London via Doha. He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife, and BNP leaders from the UK chapter will welcome Khaleda upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport. Zahid said the BNP chief will be taken directly from the airport to The London Clinic, where doctors will assess her health and determine her next course of treatment. Dr Zahid said all formalities have been completed to ensure the BNP chief’s travel to the UK. “There is an old reputable hospital called 'The London Clinic', which is under the NHS... She (Khaleda) will be admitted there. She’ll be taken there directly from Heathrow Airport,” the physician said. He said the 79-year-old three-time former prime minister will remain under care at the hospital. The BNP leader said Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arranged for a special air ambulance from the royal fleet after learning of Khaleda’s illness. “The special air ambulance will carry four Royal Qatari doctors and paramedics.” Besides, six members of Khaleda Zia's medical board—Prof Shahabuddin Talukdar, Prof FM Siddique, Prof Naruddin Ahmed, Dr Zafar Iqbal, Prof AZM Zahid Hossain and Dr Mohammad Al Mamun—will accompany her. Khaleda’s entourage will also include her daughter-in-law, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, advisory council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, executive committee member Tabith Awal, private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and other personal staff and employees. Zahid said the BNP chief would be taken directly from the airport to an advanced medical centre in London, where doctors will assess her health and determine the next course of treatment. On behalf of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, he called upon the people of Bangladesh to pray for Khaleda’s swift recovery, so that she can return home as soon as possible. Zahid said Khaleda has been suffering from various physical complications, including compensated liver cirrhosis (Grade 2), for which she previously underwent the TIPS procedure. “There’re some technical aspects of the TIPS, including the adjustments. We could not check it, and we have not been able to determine if the stenting set up in her heart is functioning properly... there are several blockages in her heart,” he said. The BNP leader also said Khaleda had earlier undergone angioplasty with stenting, but it is also necessary to address her other blockages. Besides, he said, the BNP chief suffers from chronic kidney disease and some post-Covid complications. “So, she requires a thorough check-up.” When asked whether the former prime minister would consider a liver transplant, Dr Zahid said the liver transplant unit at The London Clinic would decide this considering her age and physical condition. “You must remember we are dealing with a patient who has multiple conditions. This is why we are moving her to The London Clinic, which is a multidisciplinary advanced centre. The doctors there will review her condition and then determine the next course of her treatment,” he said. In response to another question about Khaleda’s treatment in the United States, Zahid said she may be taken to Johns Hopkins University Hospital if only recommended by the doctors at The London Clinic. When asked whether the BNP chief would travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, he said she would definitely do so on her way back home, provided her health allows. “However, it is not pre-decided.” Earlier on Sunday night, Mirza Fakhrul formally announced that their party chief will travel to London on Tuesday night for advanced medical treatment. “We, all members of the Standing Committee, have come here to bid farewell to our leader (Khaleda) as she embarks on her journey to London on the night of January 7 (Tuesday),” he said while speaking to reporters after a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee with Khaleda at her residence in Gulshan. Tarique Rahman and his family have been living in London since 2008. This will be Khaleda Zia’s second overseas medical trip, following her 2017 visit to London for treatment. This will be her first reunion with her son Tarique in seven years, and her first overseas visit since she was freed from jail. Despite her declining health, the Awami League government repeatedly denied her permission to travel abroad for treatment. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, she was fully freed under executive order, paving the way for her abroad treatment. Khaleda Zia has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes. Her doctors have been advocating for her overseas treatment since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021. Last year, on October 26, a team of three specialist doctors from the United States performed the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to address fluid accumulation in her stomach and chest, as well as liver bleeding. In March 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government temporarily released her on an executive order, suspending her sentence on the condition that she remain at her Gulshan residence and not leave the country. On August 6, 2023, Khaleda Zia was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal has postponed its planned gathering of freedom fighters, initially scheduled for Saturday, due to the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement while speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday. He said Khaleda has been unwell since the night of December 17, prompting the decision to postpone the event on the advice of her doctors. Modi belittled Bangladesh's independence, freedom fighters: Rizvi The rally, planned by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, was set to take place on Saturday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Agargaon. Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson's personal physician Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said Khaleda is receiving treatment under the close supervision of doctors at her Gulshan residence. He said their plan to send the BNP chief abroad for advanced treatment has now been deferred also because of her illness. Khaleda was initially scheduled to travel to London and then to the United States at the end of this month for her advanced medical care. Tarique calls for strict action against agents of conspirators in BNP At the same time, she was also scheduled to perform the holy Umrah in Saudi Arabia. Earlier, on December 15, Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal President Syed Ishtiaque Aziz Ulfat announced that a gathering of freedom fighters would be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Saturday (Dec 21). Khaleda Zia was supposed to attend there as the chief guest, marking her first appearance in a political programme in nearly seven years. On February 4, 2018, Khaleda Zia presided over an extended meeting of the BNP at a hotel in Dhaka. This was her last political programme, as just three days later, on February 8, she was sentenced to prison in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Earlier, on November 21, Khaleda Zia attended the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja, marking her first public appearance and participation in a state function in six years, since her imprisonment in February 2018. Khaleda Zia has been battling a range of serious health issues, including liver cirrhosis, as well as complications with her heart, lungs, kidneys and eyes.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will attend her first in-person political programme in six years at an event to be organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal on December 21. Muktijoddha Dal President Syed Ishtiaque Aziz Ulfat said they will arrange a gathering of freedom fighters at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Saturday (Dec 21) where Khaleda will be present as the chief guest. BNP proposes reforms for public administration overhaul Ulfat said he, along with BNP standing committee member Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, met the BNP chief on Saturday night and formally invited her to the programme. "She has agreed... she said that, if she is in good health, she will join the freedom fighters' gathering. We hope Madam will be able to take part in this programme.” On February 4, 2018, Khaleda presided over the extended meeting of the BNP at a hotel in Dhaka. This was her last political programme, as three days later, on February 8, she was sentenced to jail in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Ulfat mentioned that freedom fighters from all over the country will participate in the gathering on December 21, to celebrate the Victory Day. BNP to hold rallies nationwide excluding Dhaka Earlier, on November 21, Khaleda Zia attended the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja, marking her first public appearance and participation in a state function in six years, since her imprisonment in February 2018. Khaleda Zia has been struggling with a range of serious health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart, lung, kidney, and eye problems. She has undergone multiple treatments at Evercare Hospital in the capital since her conditional release, under the supervision of a medical board led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.

The High Court on Wednesday acquitted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and two others in the Barapukuria coal mine graft case. Judge Md Abu Taher of Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 passed the order. Tarique, Giasuddin Al Mamun, 6 others acquitted in Tk 10cr extortion case Two others who got acquittal are former ministers Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. The court, however, framed charges against Moazzem Hossain, Nazrul Islam, Moinul Ahsan and Md Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, officially initiating the trial.

A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, along with Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, in the long-standing Gatco corruption case. Judge Abu Taher of Dhaka Special Judges’ Court-3 gave the order following a hearing on Thursday. Former OC Rafiqul remanded in case over blocking Khaleda Zia's residence with sand trucks The Gatco corruption case has been a point of contention for over a decade, with the original complaint filed at the Tejgaon Police Station on September 2, 2007. Initially, 24 individuals, including influential figures from the previous four-party alliance government, were named in the charge sheet submitted by the ACC in 2008. As the case progressed, several accused passed away, including former ministers Saifur Rahman and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, among others.

An unidentified individual attempted to enter the cabin of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital on Saturday (December 23, 2023) evening. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep concern over this incident. “The intrusion attempt by an unknown youth into the cabin of our ailing chairperson, a respected three-time former Prime Minister, is not only worrying but raises serious questions about the security measures in place,” Rizvi stated. Read: BNP to form human chains on Dec 10 in protest against injustice: Rizvi  The BNP leader highlighted the gravity of the situation, given Khaleda Zia’s high-profile status and her current health struggles. People are astonished at how the security of such a prominent figure, particularly in her vulnerable state, could be compromised in a reputedly safe environment like Evercare Hospital, he added. Rizvi further questioned the implications of this incident, suggesting a potential deeper conspiracy. “The mysterious nature of this attempted breach has sparked widespread concern and speculation among the people. It is imperative to ascertain whether this was an isolated incident or part of a more sinister plot.” The incident has led to calls for heightened security for the 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized since August 9 for multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and heart complications. Recently, she underwent a specialized hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), performed by a team of US specialists from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Read: EC’s show-causes for violating electoral code are a joke on the people: Rizvi  Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, Khaleda Zia has been under medical supervision. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government extended her release, mandating her stay in her Gulshan residence and prohibiting international travel.

Bangladesh's Law Minister Anisul Huq today (September 23, 2023) said that an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for better treatment. He said this while talking to reporters in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura upazila. BNP extends 15-day programmes by 2 days “The application must be submitted to the Home Ministry, which then can ask the Law Ministry for its opinion. A decision will be reached upon their formal submission,” he said.  “Khaleda Zia continues to receive quality healthcare at Evercare Hospital despite her prison sentence, courtesy of the benevolence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the law minister added. Earlier on September 18, the Security Services Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification extending the suspension of Khaleda’s jail term by another six months. BNP’s associate bodies’ road march from Rangpur to Dinajpur begins this noon Khaleda Zia has to receive treatment in Dhaka, and she will not be allowed to go abroad during this period, said the notification. BNP held special prayers for her at the metropolitan, district, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels across the country after Jummah prayers. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. BNP ‘secretly’ preparing for election to start nomination trade: Quader Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government of Bangladesh temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.