DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Monday rejected four appeals seeking deferment of recording deposition in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Basudev Roy of the Special Judge Court-3 passed the order after the hearing conducted at the makeshift court setup at Dhaka Alia Madrasa premises in city’s Bakshibazar area.

The court, however, ordered to start the deposition in the noon after the break.

The court also asked deputy director Harun-or-Rashid of the ACC to give his deposition in the cases filed against six accused, including Khaleda and her son BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman.

Khaleda’s lawyers appealed to the court seeking adjournment of recording deposition, though, the BNP chairperson was not present there.

Earlier on September 22 and December 1, Harun-or-Rashid gave deposition partially but it was interrupted for Khaleda’s leave to appeal hearing and hartal.

Though, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed the three petitions for leave to appeal.

Earlier, on July 3, 2008, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman, also senior vice chairman of BNP, and six others.

On August 5, 2009, the ACC submitted charge-sheet against eight people, including Khaleda and her son Tarique.

However, Khaleda appealed to the High Court challenging the charge-sheet on October 9, 2009 but the HC rejected the plea in 2011.

Later on February 26 in 2012, she appealed to the Supreme Court (SC) for leave to appeal against the case.

On the other hand, the ACC assistant director Harunur Rashid on August 8 in 2011 filed Zia Charitable Trust graft case against four people, including Khaleda Zia.

On March 19, Judge Basudeb Roy granted a charge-sheet against eight people including Khaleda and Tarique.

BDST: 1618 HRS, DEC 08, 2014