DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Monday adjourned the recording of deposition in Zia Charitable and Orphanage Trust graft cases against BNP chief Khaleda Zia till October 26.
The makeshift court, set up at Alia Madrasa Ground, also ordered Khaleda Zia to appear before it on the next date (October 26) of taking deposition of witness.
Showing security reason, Khaleda Zia did not appear before the court and her lawyers filed four pleas in the court – two on Khaleda’s absence and two on seeking more time for deposition submission in the cases.
Earlier on September 22, the court recorded deposition partially of the first witness and plaintiff of Zia Orphanage Trust Case ACC deputy director Harun-or-Rashid. Then Judge of the court Basudev Roy adjourned the deposition submission till October 13.
Earlier on September 11, the Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing till September 14 on an appeal filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the HC order that rejected writ challenging legality of judge appointment in the two cases.
On May 12, Khaleda Zia filed the writ petition challenging legality of appointment of the judge who framed charge against Khaleda and six others at trial court.
Later on June 19, HC single bench of Justice Kazi Razaul Huq rejected the writ.
On July 07, Khaleda Zia filed two petitions to appellate division challenging the HC order that rejected writ challenging the legality of judge appointment.
She also sought stay order on trial proceedings of the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases in the trial court.
On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, for 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 not to appear before court Monday
BDST: 1312 HRS, OCT 13, 2014
