Judge Who Jailed Khaleda Zia Resigns Amid Allegations

Justice Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, who had sentenced BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, has submitted his resignation. He submitted his resignation letter on Sunday.

The Supreme Judicial Council had summoned Justice Akhtaruzzaman, who had been placed on leave over allegations of irregularities, to appear in person and explain his position. On July 1, he appeared before the council and submitted his explanation. Following this, he handed over his resignation letter to Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed today. The Chief Justice has already forwarded the resignation letter to the President.

Earlier, on March 23 of this year, the President ordered a full investigation into Justice Akhtaruzzaman’s conduct. On October 16 last year, Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed sent 12 High Court judges, including Justice Akhtaruzzaman, on leave amid allegations of corruption and for allegedly working as collaborators of the authoritarian Sheikh Hasina government. The Chief Justice also decided not to assign any benches to these judges during the investigation.