Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia secured permanent bail from the High Court in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

An HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim on Wednesday passed the order after final hearing on the rule issued by the court in 2008 granting anticipatory bail to Khaleda in the graft case.

Senior lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali, Barrister Jakir Hossain Bhuiyan and AHM Kamruzzaman moved for the BNP chief while lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan argued for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Khurshid Alam Khan said in 2008, the HC had granted her anticipatory bail and issued a rule seeking explanation why the BNP chief should not be granted regular bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. After final hearing on the rule today, the HC granted permanent bail to Khaleda Zia.

“But the trial court can cancel the bail for any misuse of the bail,” he added.

The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, who is now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over 2.10 crore that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

Four other accused are former BNP lawmaker Salimul Haq Kamal and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, former principal secretary to the PM Kamal Uddin Siddique and Mominur Rahman, nephew of late President Ziaur Rahman.

Kamal Uddin Siddique and Mominur Rahman have been absconding.