Court Correspondent
A Dhaka court on Monday fixed December 31 to record the depositions of more witnesses in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases. Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of the makeshift court set up on Alia Madrasa premises at Bakshibazar in the city passed the order fixing the new date.
The prime accused of the cases, Begum Khaleda Zia did not appear to the court due to her illness. Her lawyer advocate Sanaullah Mia, among others, moved the case on her behalf.
On Monday, the defence lawyers cross-examined four witnesses. Later, the court recorded the depositions another new witness. Besides, the Investigation Officer of Zia Charitable Trust graft case partially testified on Monday in presence of Khaleda Zia. Besides, she did not appear to the court on November 26, December 3 and December 10 because of her illness.
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 the 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 Model Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others for misappropriating over Tk 2.10 crore which came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.
