‘Graft threat to foundation of democracy’

Corruption threatens the foundation of democracy, social justice and rule of law, High Court (HC) has observed in its full verdict of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

“Today, corruption which includes financial crimes also in our country, not only possessed a great danger to the concept of good governance, but also threatened the very foundation of the democracy, social justice and the rule of law,” the HC said in its observation.

The HC today released its full verdict that doubled BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s five-year jail term in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

It said in the judgement: “It is beyond controversy that where corruption begins, all rights end. Corruption devalues human rights, chokes development and undermined justice, liberty, equality, fraternity which are the core values of our constitution.”

“Thus, the duty of the court is to work in such a manner to strengthen the fight against corruption. Therefore, there is no scope to take a lenient view in awarding punishment to an accused against whom, charge has been proved considering his/her social and/or political position”.

On February 8 last year, Khaleda, a former prime minister, landed in jail after a special court in Dhaka convicted her and sentenced to five years imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.