DHAKA: The High Court deferred the hearing on BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s pleas seeking transfer of the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trusts graft cases and a stay order on arrest warrant against her.

The HC bench of Justice M Rezaul Haque and Justice Bhismadeb Chakrobarti passed the deferment order on Thursday.

After the Supreme Court's vacation, from March 17 to March 31, the bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Md Khasruzzaman will hear the petitions on April 1 or 2.

Earlier on March 5, the bench fixed March 12 for hearing of the petitions.

On January 28, Khaleda’s lawyers filed an application expressing no confidence in the judge of Dhaka Special Court-3 dealing with Zia Orphanage and Charitable Trust graft cases.

On February 25, judge of Dhaka Special Court-3 Abu Ahmed Jamadar issued arrest warrant against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and two others.

On the day, the court recorded the deposition of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) deputy director Harun-or-Rashid, the plaintiff and first witness of the case.

Earlier, in response to the BNP chief’s appeal, the High Court transferred the trial court judge Basudev Roy who framed charges against Khaleda Zia and others in the two graft cases.

BDST: 1510 HRS, MAR 12, 2015