Bangladesh Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 15) acquitted Khaleda Zia, archrival of former PM Sheikh Hasina and a former PM herself. Zia is a leader of Bangladesh National Party (BNP). The latest decision by the supreme court has overturned earlier decision by a high court that held Zia guilty and handed her 10-year prison sentence.
Seventy-nine-year-old Zia had appealed against the high court ruling.
The Supreme Court acquitted Zia, along with the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman and all others.
Zia was handed the sentence on February 8, 2018 over allegations of embezzlement of government funds in the name of Zia Orphanage Trust. Punishments were handed to other accused as well. From the accused Tarique, Siddiqui and Mominur Rahman have remained absconding.
Zia's five-year sentence was increased to 10 years after Zia appealed the verdict to the high court.
Zia then filed a leave-to-appeal petition.
After a delay of several years the leave-to-appeal petition was accepted on November 11, 2024.
Now she has been cleared of all charges.
Zia served two terms in the prime ministerial office, first between March 1991 and March 1996 and then from from June 2001 to October 2006.
Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh prime minister and fled the country in August last year. She is currently in India.
Sheikh Hasina and her family have had close ties with India since before Bangladesh came into existence.
