UNB, Dhaka :
The High Court on Monday started hearing on two writ petitions filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of the appointment of a special judge who framed charges against her in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases.
The HC bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo held the hearing yesterday. The court will also hear the petitions today (Tuesday).
On May 12, Khaleda’s counsel Mohammad Asaduzzaman filed the writs on her behalf challenging the legality of the appointment of special Judge Basudev Roy who framed charges in the two graft cases.
The writs also sought a stay order on the further trial proceedings of the two graft cases.
Former Attorney General AJ Mohammad Ali stood for the BNP chief, while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state on Monday.
During the hearing, AJ Mohammad Ali told the court that as per the Section 3 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1958, a gazette notification has to be issued on the appointment of a judge to a special court.
“However, no gazette was issued on the appointment of special judge Basudev Roy who framed charges in the two cases. So, the holding of the trial proceedings by the judge was not lawful,” he said.
On March 19, Judge Basudev Roy of the Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-3 framed charges against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and seven others rejecting their time petition in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases.
On April 13, the BNP chief filed separate revision appeals with the High Court seeking to quash the lower court indictment orders against her in the two graft cases. However, the HC on April 23 rejected the two petitions.
