The Special Judge Court-3 of Dhaka on Thursday issued warrant of arrest against BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case filed accusing six persons including BNP Chief Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique.
Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of the make shift special court set on Bakshibazar Alia Madras playground rejected Tarique's bail prayer and issued the warrant as he failed to appear in the court yesterday.
Earlier, on January 12, the special court fixed January 26 for hearing the statement of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in her self-defence in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Besides, the court directed Khaleda Zia to appear to the court on January 30, when it will resume the process of the case. She was not present in the court on Thursday.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft case with Tejgaon Model Police Station on July 3, 2008, accusing four people of abusing power in raising funds for the trust. The prosecution alleged that the accused persons had embezzled Tk 21 million from funds meant for the trust , which reportedly came from a foreign bank. -Special Correspondent
Another report adds: On Thursday, the court of Dhaka’s Third Special Judge heard statements by two of the accused defending themselves — former MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed.
The court was also scheduled to hear Khaleda’s statement on Thursday, but her lawyers pleaded for more time and got the hearing deferred to Jan 30.
The judge said that he would scrap bail for the former prime minister, if she fails to appear that day.
The court also fixed Feb 2 for recording Khaleda’s statement defending herself in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
In 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against six including Khaleda and her son Tarique Rahman.
It alleged that the defendants had embezzled Tk 21 million from funds meant for the trust, which reportedly came from a foreign bank.
In 2011, the anti-corruption watchdog sued the BNP chief and three others for embezzlement of Tk 31.5 million of the Zia Charitable Trust.
