DHAKA: A special court, set up in old central jail, adjourned till Thursday (Sep 13) the hearing of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Charitable Trust graft case after she (Khaleda) refuses to appear in today’s hearing.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is serving her 5-year jail sentence in Zia Orphanage Trust case in old central jail but as per order of the Law Ministry, a makeshift court was set up in the prison to conduct the trial of Zia Charitable Trust graft case against her.

However, as the hearing begins today, the jail authority failed to produce her before court as she refuses to do so.

Under the circumstances, the prosecution and defense placed statements respectively on how the trial or whether the hearing of defense arguments will continue. 

Judge Md Akhteruzzaman of Special Judge’s Court-5 adjourned the hearing on Wednesday (Sep 12) and fixed Thursday for further hearing and pass order on Khaleda’s bail petition in the case.

Advocate Sanaullah Mia and Aminul Islam moved for Khaleda while advocate Mosharraf Hossain Kajal moved for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Earlier on Sept 5, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia refused to appear before court over and again while telling the makeshift trial court in jail to go give her as much punishment as it wishes.

BDST: 1617 HRS, SEP 12, 2018
AP/SMS