The judge of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5 left his courtroom on Wednesday following a pandemonium created between the lawyers of the prosecution and the defence during the second day arguments in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Judge Dr Md Akhteruzzaman left the courtroom at about 11:15am when defence counsel Aminul Islam placing his arguments on behalf of his client, accused Ziaul Haque Munna. An altercation took place when the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajal started giving statement in the midst of Aminul Islam’s statement. He told the court that ACC prosecutor addressed the court like a member of the ruling Awami League man. Although, an ACC lawyer cannot speak like a party man. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has wanted vote for her political party in Sylhet.
The hearing began again after the judge returned to the ejlash at about 12:10 pm. Then, he asked senior lawyers, only to make submission in the court.
At one stage of hearing, lawyers from both sides again locked in quarrel and chaotic situation was created, leading the judge to leave the courtroom once again.
Placing of arguments in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case began at the makeshift court set up at Bakshibazar area in the city on Tuesday. Yesterday, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia appeared in the court at about 11:30am.
ACC prosecutor Kajal completed placing arguments on behalf of the prosecution. The defence lawyers are scheduled to resume placing their arguments today.
On July 3, 2008, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Model Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21 million that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.
On August 8, 2011, the anti-graft body filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Model Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources. Other three accused persons are Khaleda Zia’s former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, his former personal assistant Ziaul Islam Munna and former Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s personal assistant Monirul Islam Khan.
