DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Monday adjourned the recording of deposition against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia until October 13 in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

Justice Basudeb Roy of the court Special Judge-3, the makeshieft court set up at Alia Madrasa ground, passed the adjournment order.

The court also took the partly statement of first witness, also plaintiff of the cases deputy director of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Harun-ar-Rashid.

Earlier, the court rejected the time petition, filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, seeking deferment of the recording deposition in the two cases.

Khaleda Zia’s lawyer advocate Sanaullah Mia told banglanews that his client could 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.

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

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 May 12, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has challenged the indictment against her in the 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.

** Khaleda’s trial deferment plea rejected

BDST: 1358 HRS, SEP 22, 2014