DHAKA: BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia sought court order adjourning the trial proceedings in the Zia Charitable and Orphanage Trust graft cases.

On ground of their client’s illness, her lawyers on Monday filed the petition seeking six or seven week times.

Khaleda Zia, the prime accused of both cases, did not appear before the Bakshibazar makeshift court on Monday.

In the petition, lawyers said Khaleda Zia would go aboard for medical treatment. She could not appear before court for illness. So, they need six or seven week times.

Earlier on August 3, Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-3 of Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar adjourned till August 10 the hearing in Zia Charitable Trust graft case against four accused including the BNP Chairperson.

Defense counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain partially cross-examined plaintiff and first witness ACC deputy director Harun-or-Rashid on the day.

On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid, also an investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the accused on January 16, 2012.
Besides, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk2.10 crore which came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

On August 5, 2010, Harunur Rashid submitted a charge-sheet to the court in the case against six people, including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

BDST: 1230 HRS, AUG 10, 2015
RS/SMS