The Special Court-5 of Dhaka on Thursday fixed January 3 and 4 for the defence to place further arguments in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case lodged against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Judge Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman of the makeshift special court set up at Bakshibazar of the city adjourned the hearing on next argument for the
fifth day and ordered to place the remaining arguments on January 3 and 4. The hearing of arguments in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case is also scheduled to be held on the same date.
On Thursday Begum Khaleda Zia’s counsel Khandakar Mahbub Hossain and AJ Mohammad Ali placed the arguments when they said that the case is politically-motivated and it was filed to harass her. The case was filed against Begum Khaleda Zia showing fake documents out of political vengeance they added. However, AJ Mohammad Ali termed Begum Khaleda Zia as the pole star (Dhrubatara). He further said that Begum Khaleda was made Prime Minister thrice as she is a popular leader and she got a place in the hearts of the people of the country.
Earlier on December 21, the court fixed December 26, 27 and 28 for placing the defence arguments in the graft case.
Khaleda arrived at the court at about 11.30 am while the proceeding of the court begun at 11.37 am. The hearing on arguments ended at 2.55 pm, when AJ Mohammad Ali concluded his submission. Later, BNP Chief Khaleda Zia left the court at about 3 pm.
On July 3, 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Model Police Station accusing Begum Khaleda Zia, her 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 organisation filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Model Police Station accusing four people, including Begum Khaleda Zia, of abuse of power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.
