Zia Charitable Trust Corruption Case

What Is the Case About?

• The case involves allegations that Khaleda Zia (former PM of Bangladesh) and others misused funds raised for the Zia Charitable Trust.


• The prosecution claimed they "abused power to raise funds … from unknown sources."


• According to the 2018 court verdict, around Tk 2.17 crore (about 21.7 million taka) was collected from unknown sources.


• There were also alleged irregularities in how over Tk 1.24 crore was spent, particularly in the purchase of land in the trust’s name.


• The judgement said money was deposited into a Sonali Bank account (Prime Minister’s Office branch) in January 2005.


• The court also criticized that while a huge sum was deposited, the land purchased was not properly mutated in the trust’s name at the time of filing the case.

Legal Timeline

• The Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on 8 August 2011 with Tejgaon Police Station.


• Charges were framed on 19 March 2014.


• On 29 October 2018, a Special Court (Court‑5) sentenced Khaleda Zia to 7 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined her Tk 10 lakh (1 million Taka).


• The court said if the fine wasn’t paid, there would be an extra 6 months in jail.


• On 27 November 2024, the High Court acquitted Khaleda Zia, scrapping her 7-year sentence.


• On 3 March 2025, the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division upheld that High Court acquittal, rejecting the ACC’s appeal.

Significance & Observations

• The case was politically significant because Khaleda Zia is a major political figure (BNP leader), and such corruption cases have strong political overtones.


• Her legal team argued that the trust was private, run on its own funds, and no state money was involved.


• With the Supreme Court’s decision, her 7-year sentence was fully overturned.


• The ACC and the prosecution had challenged her acquittal, but their leave-to-appeal was rejected by the SC.