Justice Akhtaruzzaman, who sentenced Khaleda Zia to prison resigns

Justice Dr. Akhtaruzzaman, who sentenced BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to 5 years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust case, has resigned. He submitted his resignation on Sunday (August 31). The Supreme Judicial Council has summoned High Court Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman, who was sent on leave to explain the allegations of irregularities. He has been asked to appear in person on July 1 and give an explanation. With that explanation, he submitted his resignation to Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed on Sunday. Syed Refat Ahmed has already sent his resignation to the President. Earlier, on March 23, the President had ordered a full-fledged investigation against Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman. On October 16 last year, Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed sent 12 judges on leave on charges of corruption and working as a friend of the Sheikh Hasina government. At the same time, it was decided not to give them benches. Incidentally, on February 8, 2018, Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust case at the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-5 set up at the parade ground of the Bakshibazar Prison Division. He sentenced five others, including Tarique Rahman, to 10 years in prison.