BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is likely to return her Gulshan residence Sunday after appearing before the special judge’s court at Bakshibazar in the city today, for hearing in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust corruption cases, according to party insiders.
“Khaleda Zia will appear before the court to seek bail in the two cases and there is a possibility of going back to her Gulshan residence,” said a source close to the BNP chairperson preferring anonymity. Khaleda’s counsel Advocate Sanaullah Miah who spoke to journalists also confirmed that the BNP chief would appear before the court today.
“Yes, she (Khaleda) is going to the special judge’s court on Sunday,” Sanaullah confirmed.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, however, said that Khaleda may go to the court, but all depends on the situation.
“She (Khaleda) is very willing to appear before the court since she is respectful of the law of he land,” he said.
Asked whether the former premier would return to her residence, the BNP policymaker said he is not aware about it.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Advocate Mahbub Hossain also said that Khaleda is likely to appear before the court today if the government provides enough security for her.
“We are hopeful that she (Khaleda) would go to the court Sunday,” he added.
The former premier is going to the court to seek bail which was cancelled earlier as she failed to attend the hearing on security grounds.
The BNP chief is going to outside of her Gulshan office first time after remaining confined there for 92 days. She announced the ongoing non-stop blockade programme on January 5 to protest against the law enforcers confining her there as she tried to go to Nayapaltan Party office. Two days before on January 3 night she was prevented from going to Naya Paltan to see ailing joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Meanwhile, briefing reporters Khaleda’s lawyer demanded the government to ensure the security of BNP chairperson.
“The government should take necessary measures to ensure her (Khaleda’s) security,” he said.
Sanaullah said the former premier is respectful to the law and she would appear before the court in compliance with the court notice.
Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the two corruption cases against Khaleda and some others including her son Tarique Rahman in 2008 and 2011 on charge of misappropriating of Tk over 5.25 crore. Subsequently cases were started in 2011.
The court deferred many dates of hearing since the filing, and deposition of witnesses were also postponed several times after framing of charges in the cases.
On February 25, the court issued arrest warrants on Khaleda after she failed to appear in the court on several scheduled dates.
Khaleda had appeared before the court last on December 24 last year when a serious law and order situation was created as pro-AL workers clashed with pro-Bnp workers before her entrance to the court and departure from there. – Staff Reporter
