Khaleda Zia arrives at court

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has arrived at a special court for the verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.  

The Special Court-5 set up in Dhaka’s Bakshibazar area will deliver its verdict today in the graft case against the BNP chief and five others.

Khaleda Zia, prime accused of the case, reached at the court around 1:45pm. She left her Gulshan residence for the court around 11:45am amid tight security.  

Two accused in the case have been brought to the special court this morning. Meanwhile, the court took all preparations for beginning its activities around 10:00am.    

Tensions have gripped the country over the verdict in the graft case against Khaleda Zia as BNP vowed to register its protests if their chairperson is convicted.

On the other hand, the government has warned that no anarchy in this regard will be tolerated.

Ahead of a court verdict, the law enforcers tighten security in Dhaka as well as across the country.    

Over 30,000 police alongside the adequate members of RAB, detective branch of police and other intelligence agencies have been deployed at the city’s different important points, including in and around the special court areas and all the entry points of the city. 

On July 3, 2008, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 2.10 crore that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

Four other accused are former BNP MP Salimul Haq Kamal and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, former principal secretary to the PM Kamal Uddin Siddique and Mominur Rahman, nephew of late President Ziaur Rahman.

Kamal Uddin Siddique and Mominur Rahman have been absconding.