Khaleda can not choose!

(From left) ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam, Begum Khaleda Zia, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam. (File photo)

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam have said that if the punishment of Begum Khaleda Zia's 10 years and seven years imprisonment can not be canceled, then Zia Orphanage Trust and Charitable Trust can not participate in the election.

On Tuesday (October 30th), the High Court upheld the sentence of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case by 10 years. Alam said that Khaleda Zia will not be able to take part in the forthcoming national elections, but according to the constitution, no accused has the opportunity to participate in any election if the accused is sentenced for two years. He will not be able to take part in the election if he does not cancel the sentence of Khaleda.

ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam said, "There is no scope for Khaleda to participate in the forthcoming national election."

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's lawyer Sanaullah Mia said on the other hand, "Even if the High Court upholds Khaleda Zia's sentence, she will not be disqualified from the election." We will appeal against this verdict. Hope he gets justice.

On February 8, Zia Orphanage Trust gave Khaleda Zia five years' imprisonment in corruption case. At the same time, each of the five accused in the case including his son Tarique Rahman was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment.

The remaining four accused - former chief secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, former MP and businessman Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed and Ziaur Rahman's nephew Mominur Rahman Among them are Tareque Rahman, Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and Mominur Rahman. Besides, the six accused also fined Tk 20 million each for six accused.