A Dhaka court on Monday deferred the Zia Charitable Trust graft case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and three others to October 6.Judge Md Motahar Hossain of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-3 passed the order after hearing on two time petitions, submitted on behalf of the lawyers of Khaleda Zia and another accused Ziaul Islam Munna, acting director of BIWTA and also the then private secretary to Harris Chowdhury.
BNP Chief’s lawyer Sanaullah Mia told the court that his client could not come to the court as the Parliament is in session and at present she is out of the capital in connection with her political programme.
Three other accused persons are Harris Chowdhury, political secretary to the former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Monirul Islam Khan, APS to former Dhaka City Corporation mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
According to the charge sheet submitted by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Harunur Rashid, Investigation Officer (IO) of the case, the four accused, in collaboration with each other, realized over Tk 2.17 crore from unknown sources in the name of establishing Shaheed Zia Charitable Trust.
Khaleda Zia, Munna and Monirul Islam obtained from the High Court while Harris Chowdhury has been absconding since the ACC filed the case on August 8 last year with Tejgaon Police Station in the capital.
Harris was shown as a fugitive in the charge sheet and while submitting it the IO sought an arrest warrant to the court. – Court Correspondent
