Dhaka: The lawyers of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday afternoon finally received the certified copy of the verdict sentencing the BNP chief to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Khaleda’s lawyer Advocate Sanaullah Mia received the 1174-page copy of the verdict around 4:30 pm, 10 days after it was pronounced.

On February 8 last, the court read out a 632-page summarised version of the verdict and today it released the full 1174-page copy of the verdict.

On Sunday, Khaleda’s lawyers filed a petition with the Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 seeking a copy of the judgment after having failed to receive it even 11 days after the verdict.

Judge Akhtaruzzaman assured him of providing the certified copy on Monday.

On February 8, the special court convicted the former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

She was then sent to the old central jail at Nazimuddin Road in the city.

On the same day, BNP lawyers sought a certified copy of the verdict to file an appeal against the imprisonment but they were yet to get it.

Contacted, BNP standing committee member and Khaleda’s one of the counsels Moudud Ahmed said they will now examine the verdict and find out its loopholes.

‘It’ll take at least two to three days to examine the verdict and different documents and statements of the witnesses, and to prepare for filing an appeal with the High Court against it,’ he told UNB.

The BNP leader said they’ll try to file the appeal and seek bail for Khaleda as early as possible.

He alleged that the court could have given the copy much earlier after the announcement of the verdict. ‘The unnecessary delay was made only to prolong our leader’s (Khaleda’s) stay in jail and keep her in pain.’

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said he hoped that the appeal will be filed by this week. ‘Our lawyers will decide it.’

A BNP leader, wishing anonymity, said Khaleda’s lawyers are likely to hold a meeting tonight (Monday night) to decide when and how they will move for filing the appeal with the apex court against the lower court judgement.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK, and four others of misappropriating over 2.10 crore that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

Though pro-BNP lawyers and the party are claiming that Khaleda will get bail and she will be eligible for the next general election after filing an appeal with the apex court, legal and election experts have no clear answer to it as they think it fully depends on the apex court.

As per Article 66(2) (d) of the Constitution, anyone sentenced to jail for a term not less than two years for ethical or moral misconduct, and until five years have elapsed since the date of his/her release shall be disqualified for the contesting the parliamentary election.

Law Minister Anisul Huq said there are two verdicts of the Supreme Court and the High Court in this regard. ‘One verdict says until the disposal of the appeal the case proceeding is considered incomplete and the person is not convicted. So, the convicted person will be able to take part in polls.’

However, the other verdict says the convicted person cannot take part in the national election with having an appeal against the lower court conviction pending. ‘So, the apex court and the Election Commission will decide it now.’

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AKM Nurul Huda on Monday said Khaleda cannot participate in the upcoming general election in the present state.

‘In the current condition, Khaleda Zia can’t participate in the polls but if the High Court permits, she can contest it. And I hope Khaleda Zia will take part in the polls overcoming all the difficulties,’ he said while talking to reporters after meeting Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain at the Supreme Court.