DHAKA: A Dhaka court set November 12 for further hearing on Zia Orphanage and Charitable Trust graft cases against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and others.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of the Special Judge's Court-3 setup on Alia Madrasa premises at Bakshibazar fixed the date on Thursday.

During day’s proceedings, defense lawyer Abdur Rezzak Khan cross-examined the 18th witness (witness of seized list) Sonali Bank acting general manager Mezbaul Haque on the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Later, the court recorded statements of two other witnesses of seized list on the case. They are Metro Makers and Developers Limited MD AFM Jahangir Hossain and DMD Mainul Imran Chowdhury.

Then, the court set November 12 for cross-examination of the two witnesses and recording deposition of next witness.

With the deposition recording of the duo, 20 witnesses gave the deposition in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Khaleda’s counsel Advocate Sanaullah Mia filed a petition seeking his client’s exemption from personal appearance before the court and continue trial proceedings in absence of the BNP chairperson.

Later, the court granted her non-appearance appeal.

Besides, the same court kept the hearing of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case adjourned as an application of the defense seeking 'leave to appeal' pending at the High Court.

Zia Orphanage Trust Graft Case

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda, her eldest son Tarique Rahman and four others of misappropriating Tk over 2.10-crore, which came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

The other accused are former BNP lawmaker Kazi Saleemul Haque, businessperson Sharfuddin Ahmed, Khaleda’s former principal secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and Momenur Rahman.

Zia Charitable Trust Graft Case

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

The other accused in the case are Harris Chowdhury, Ziaul Islam Munna, assistant private secretary (APS) to Harris, Monirul Islam Khan and APS to Sadeque Hossain Khoka, mayor of the erstwhile Dhaka City Corporation.

BDST: 1600 HRS, NAV 05, 2015
RS/RR