BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will not appear before court on Wednesday to seek bail in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Fund graft cases. “Khaleda Zia won’t appear before the Dhaka court for security reasons. The government did not ensure adequate security for her,” her panel lawyer Sanaullah Mia told UNB on Wednesday morning. Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, the principal counsel for Khaleda, said: “We’ve sought security for Madam (Khaleda). But, instead of ensuring security, the ruling party cadres are roaming around her office. Under the circumstances, how will she appear before the court?” On February 25, a court here issued warrant for the arrest of Khaleda Zia and two other accused in the two graft cases, revoking her bail. Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Judge’s Court-3 on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah playground had also fixed March 4 (Wednesday) for the next hearing on the case. Asked whether the BNP chairperson will go to court, her press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan said she will act in this regard as per the advice of her lawyers. A source close to Khaleda Zia said the BNP chief woke up around 8:30 am and she was waiting for the decision of her lawyers whether she will appear before the court or not. Meanwhile, the Bakshibazar special court today (Wednesday) began hearing of the two petitions filed by Khaleda Zia seeking the withdrawal of the warrants issued for her arrest in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Fund graft cases. Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of the Special Judge’s Court-3 on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah playground passed the order on Tuesday after the petitions were filed by Khaleda’s lawyer Sanaullah Miah. Earlier, on Tuesday, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, the principal counsel for the BNP chairperson, said his client is ready to surrender to the trial court subject to ensuring adequate security, bail and safe return to her Gulshan office. “We’re respectful to law… although we’re yet to get any copy of the arrest warrant, BNP chairperson is willing to appear at the court if she is ensured adequate security, bail and safe return to her Gulshan political office,” Khandker Mahbub told reporters at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) building. Mentioning the legal state of affairs, he said: “Now two things have to be considered. “Firstly, we’ve submitted a petition seeking no-confidence in trial Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Court No-3 and the matter is waiting for hearing at the higher court. “So, the trial court can’t hold proceedings both legally and morally as we’ve voiced no-confidence.” Secondly, the counsel said: “Our client didn’t receive any arrest warrant.” “Besides,” he added, “if appearing at the court is at all necessary, she’s ready to do so subject to fulfilling three preconditions.” Revoking her bail, Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Judge’s Court-3 set up on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah playground issued warrant for the arrest of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and two other accused for not appearing before it to face trial in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Fund graft cases. Though there was strong speculation that Khaleda may be arrested if she does not appear before the court, no extra security measures was in sight around Khaleda’s office, where she has been staying since January 3. BNP sources said Khaleda Zia is unwilling to leave her Gulshan office now as she has information that the government will either arrest her in the two cases or will not allow her entering her office once she leaves it. A leader close to the BNP chief, wishing anonymity, said Khaleda has already directed top leaders of her party, its different units and district leaders to continue movement even if she is arrested. He said the BNP chief in consultation with her eldest son and BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman and some senior leaders of the party made a plan as to how the movement and party would be run in case she is arrested. – UNB, Dhaka.
