By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh’s Supreme Court Tuesday rejected the government’s plea against granting bail to jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia in a corruption case.
In what seemed a minor reprieve for Zia that could help her jailed family members and political associates as well, the court disallowed a plea by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that is conducting a nationwide drive involving scores of former ministers, lawmakers and officials, against a high court granting bail to Zia.
The apex court fixed Thursday for hearing the case, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency said.
Zia had challenged her detention and the case filed against under the Emergency Power Rules, Star Online said.
The legal move on behalf of Zia is important, as there are six similar applications for staying the high court orders regarding ACC cases against former law minister Moudud Ahmed, former communications minister Nazmul Huda and his wife Sigma Huda, Zia’s two sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, former deputy minister Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu and businessman Nurul Islam Babul.
Zia was detained Sep 2, while her political rival and another former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been incarcerated since July 16, being implicated in a number of corruption cases.
While both have denied wrongdoing, they have alleged that the cases are meant to eventually disqualify them from contesting any future election.
A caretaker government took office in January this year, called off general elections and imposed a national emergency.