DHAKA: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia appeared before the court to hear the deposition, which to be recorded in Zia Orphanage Trust and Charitable Trust graft cases filed against her and others.

She arrived at the premises of Bakshibazar makeshift court around 10:28am on the day.

Trial proceedings of two cases are underway in the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-3 of Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar.

Palitiff and first witness ACC deputy director Harun-or-Rashid has already placed his statements in both cases. Of these, Khaleda’s lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain also cross-examined the plaintiff partially on June 18 and July 23.

On July 23, Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-3 fixed the date in response to a time petition filed by Khaleda’s lawyer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain.

Earlier on June 18, the Special Judge's Court-3 adjourned till July 23 the hearing on the two graft cases against Khaleda in her presence.

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: 1055 HRS, AUG 3, 2015
RS/SMS