Dhaka – BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said she is apprehensive about getting justice in the cases filed against her given the current state of the judiciary.
While giving her self-defence statements in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case for the fifth day Thursday before the makeshift court of Special Judge-5 at Bakshibazar, she also alleged that 36 cases have been filed against her without any legal basis as she is active in politics.She made this comments in her unfinished statement in self defence for the fifth day before the court in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases for the fourth day.
The special Judge Court-5 asked the former premier to appear before the court on November 23 for finishing her incomplete self-defense statements in two graft cases.
The court comprising Md Akhteruzzaman passed the order as Khaleda could not complete her self-defense statements in the two cases and sought more time.
In her statement, Khaleda expressed her doubt whether she would get justice in connection with Zia Orphanage Trust graft case blaming the ruling quarter for “creating a culture of impunity” in the country.
“My concern is the scope and atmosphere of getting justice have totally been destroyed disgustingly. The culture of impunity has also been introduced instead of justice,” she said.
The BNP chief said that she came to know from the cases description that Kuwait had given donation to set up an orphanage before the name of late President Ziaur Rahman.
“I had no releation with this. Then foreing minister Mostafizur Rahman was involved with the process and he knew all…There was no violation of law and nothing was happened to make me benifited personally,” she said.
Khaleda further said she did not belong any post of any of the two trusts and still does not belong any post. I had no relation personally or being a prime minister to collect money or to distribute it.
She argued that none of the trusts are the governement offcials or employees. Complain or case may be filed against them if any of them violate law or rsort to irregularity, she said.
The BNP chief questioned the juridcition of the Anti-Corruption Commisison of filing the cases in the name of so called irregularity or corruption.
“Besides there was no corruption. I do not undersatnd as to why I have been implicated in the case,” she said.
Reerring to filing of 33 cases against her, Khaleda claimed that each case was filed against filed from the political vengience and all cases were filed on the basis of false and baseless allegations.
She said the ruling qaurters filed the cases considering me as highest challenge for them whereas the cases filed against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were quashed.
The cases were filed aiming at undermining me to the people but they were not successful in it. Rather They are being undermined to the people and islolated,” she said.
She alleged that there is no congenial atmosphere of justice and an environment of injustice has been created in the country.
The BNP chief said all know the consequence of the chief justice who has been forced to quit.
She said the enviroment of justice and opportunity has been destryoed in the country. “Thus, I have to give statement of self defence in the cases with the fear whther I will get justice.”
Khaleda Zia left her Gulshan residence ‘Firoza’ at about 10:45am and reached the court 11:40am.
Manwhile, police chashed BNP leaders and activits in front of Kadam Foara while they tried to bring out processing following the motorcade of the BNP chairperson.
Khaleda was returning her Gulshan residence after giving self defence statement at the court.
Being chashed, the unruly party activitis damaged some motor vehicles on the raod.
Khaleda Zia started presenting her self-defence statement in the case before the makeshift court of Special Judge-5 at Bakshibazar on October 19. – Staff Reporter Our Special Correspondent adds: The Special Judge Court-5 of Dhaka yesterday asked BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to appear before the court on November 23 for completing her remaining self-defence statements in two graft cases.
Judge Dr Md Akhteruzzaman of the special court set up in the city’s Bakshi Bazar area also extended Khaleda Zia’s bail until the same day. She gave her self-defence statement in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case for an hour on Thursday and will continue the next day.
The court also closed recording statements of the witnesses in the Zia Charitable Trust Graft case and fixed the same date for placing Khaleda Zia’s self-defense statement in the case.
In July 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman, and four others of misappropriating over Tk 2.10 crore that had come as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.
Three years later, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abusing power to raise funds for the trust from unknown sources. Sedition case hearing Nov 30
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka on Thursday deferred the hearing in the sedition case lodged against BNP Chief Begum Khaleda Zia to November 30.
Magistrate Hakim Abdullah Al Masud of the CMM Court passed the order yesterday.
Earlier on November 1, Bangabandhu Foundation President Md Mashiur Malek filed the case. Later, the court recorded statement of the complainant in the case and fixed November 9 for hearing.
The pro-ruling party complainant, who is a lawyer sought to implicate Khaleda Zia in the sedition case claiming that she met Pakistan’s intelligence agency in secret.
It may be remembered that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia left the country on July 15 and returned home on October 18 after spending time with her exiled son Tarique Rahman there.
According to the case statement, Khaleda Zia, during her stay in London for two months, met Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI in secret at Taj Hotel in the late hours of July 18 and 19. – Special Correspondent
