Justice Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court resigned on Sunday, ten months after he was sent on leave by the BNP-backed chief justice, allegedly for working in favour of the Awami League government.
On February 8, 2018, Dr. Akhtaruzzaman, the then judge of the Special Judgeโs Court-5, sentenced former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.
At the same time, the court sentenced her son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, former Magura MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, Dr. Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and Mominur Rahman to 10 years in prison each.
The Supreme Judicial Council of the Jamaat-controlled Yunus regime summoned Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman to appear in person on July 1 and give an explanation. With that explanation, the judge submitted his resignation to Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday.
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On March 23, the President had directed a full investigation into Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman, after the chief justice sent 12 judges on leave after allegations of corruption and nepotism on October 16, 2024.
At the same time, CJ Refaat decided not to give them benches.
The 11 other judges are Justice Naima Haider, Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif, Justice Ashish Ranjan Das, Justice Mohammad Khurshid Alam Sarker, Justice SM Moniruzzaman, Justice Ataur Rahman Khan, Justice Shahed Nur Uddin, Justice Md. Aminul Islam, Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon, Justice Khizir Hayat and Justice Khondaker Diliruzzaman.
On November 11, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court verdict that doubled BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s jail term to 10 years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.
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