Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the High Court to start the hearing on the review petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia against a lower court verdict sentencing five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after keeping the petition stand over till July 31, reports the UNB.

It also made an observation saying if the hearing of the petition would not finish by this time, the SC will consider it.

On July 9, the Supreme Court fixed July 12 for passing an order on a review petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia against its order asking the High Court to dispose of her appeal in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Earlier on May 16, the SC upheld the High Court order that had granted bail to convicted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the graft case.

The SC also issued an order to dispose of Khaleda’s appeal challenging the lower court’s verdict in the case by July 31.

Later, Khaleda’s lawyer filed a petition on June 25 seeking review of the order.

On February 8, the Dhaka Special Court-5 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 old central jail at Nazimuddin Road in the city.