DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Monday rejected the time petition, filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, seeking deferment of the recording deposition in the two cases, Zia Charitable and Orphanage Trust graft cases.

Justice Basudeb Roy of the court Special Judge-3 ordered to continue to take deposition of witnesses after hearing on the time petition as the BNP chief could not appear before the court due to hartal.

The deposition in the two cases is scheduled to begin at the makeshieft court, set up at Alia Madrasa ground.

Earlier on September 17, the court issued verbal order to Khaleda and other accused asking them to appear before it on Monday.

Khaleda Zia’s lawyer advocate Sanaullah Mia told banglanews that his client will not appear before the court for lack security due to hartal and court boycott program of Bangladesh Bar council and will file a time petition with the court.

On May 12, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has challenged the indictment against her in the trust graft cases

On March 19, the Special Judge Court-3 framed charges against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, its senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman and six others rejecting their time petition in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases. 

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 and four others for misappropriating over Tk 2.10 crore which came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans. 

BDST: 1240 HRS, SEP 22, 2014