Dhaka, Sept 24 – The bail of BNP Chief Begum Khaleda Zia has been extended for a day in the Zia Charitable Trust Graft case. Meanwhile, the court is scheduled to hear arguments of defence from tomorrow. Judge Dr Md Akhteruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 passed the order after Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Sanaullah Miah submitted a petition seeking an extension of her bail in the case.
The lawyer submitted another petition seeking an adjournment of the hearing until Khaleda Zia’s health improves.
Besides, two other accused of the case- Ziaul Huq Munna and Monirul Islam expressed no-confidence on the judge.
While the court cancelled the bail of Ziaul Huq Munna and sent him to the jail.
On September 20, the court exempted Khaleda Zia from personal appearance before it and decided to continue the trial of the Zia Charitable Trust graft case inside Old Dhaka Central Jail in her absence.
Earlier, on September 20, the judge extended Khaleda Zia’s bail in the case till Monday.
The court also ordered the jail authorities to provide Khaleda Zia’s treatment in the jail as per the Jail Code. Earlier, the defence lawyer submitted an appeal in that respect.
On February 8, the same special court sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and sentenced her son Tarique Rahman, now the acting BNP chairman, and four others to 10 years' imprisonment each.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Model Police Station in August 2011, accusing Khaleda Zia and three others of abusing power for raising funds of the trust from unknown sources. – Special Correspondent
