Zia Orphanage Trust Graft Case
- Background & Allegations
- The case revolves around alleged misappropriation of funds that were meant for orphans.
- According to the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC), more than Tk 2.10 crore (Bangladeshi taka) - roughly funds from foreign grants - were misused.
- The trust was named Zia Orphanage Trust, linked to the Zia family: former PM Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman, and others were accused.
- In the court’s earlier (verdict) assessment, it was stated that: at the time when a grant came (in the early 1990s), there was no actual trust. The orphanage trust was later “created” on paper; the money stayed idle in a bank before being partially moved into the trust.
- The court claimed that only a small piece of land (2.79 acres) was bought for the orphanage, suggesting the rest of the money might not have been used for orphans.
- Under Bangladeshi law (Penal Code, Section 409), misuse of entrusted public money is a criminal offense; the lower court judged that Khaleda Zia had “entrustment and dominion” over these orphanage funds and was culpable.
- Legal Timeline
- The ACC filed the case in July 2008, accusing Zia family members and associates.
- On 8 February 2018, a Special Judge’s Court (Dhaka) sentenced Khaleda Zia to 5 years’ imprisonment.
- Other accused - including her son Tarique Rahman, Salimul Haque Kamal (former MP), Sharfuddin Ahmed, Mominur Rahman, Kamal Uddin Siddique - got 10 years each, according to that verdict.
- A fine of Tk 2.10 crore was imposed on the convicts.
- On 30 October 2018, the High Court increased Khaleda’s sentence from 5 years to 10 years.
- However, on 11 November 2024, the Supreme Court (Appellate Division) stayed that 10-year sentence, allowing her to appeal.
- On 15 January 2025, the Supreme Court (a 5‑judge bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed) acquitted Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and all other accused.
- In its final verdict, the Court said the case was “vindictive” and "motivated," and that the trial was “entirely flawed.”
- The Chief Justice also noted that one of the purposes of the case seemed to be to publicly humiliate Khaleda Zia.
Sources
Dhaka Tribune
Zia Orphanage Trust graft case: Convict Salimul files appeal challenging lower court verdict
AP News
Bangladesh Supreme Court acquits ex-Prime Minister Zia, clearing the way for her to run in elections