Graft case: No bar to continue trial in absence of Khaleda

The High Court has rejected a petition challenging the decision to continue trial proceedings of Zia Charitable Trust corruption case in absence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.  

The High Court bench of Justice Obaidul Hasan and Justice SM Kuddus Zaman rejected the revision petition of the BNP chief on Sunday.

Following the HC order, now there is no bar to continue the trial proceedings of Zia Charitable Trust corruption case in absence of the BNP chief, said the state lawyers.

Khaleda filed the revision petition with the HC on September 27 challenging the legality of a trial court decision to continue the proceedings of the case in her absence.

On September 20, a special court in Dhaka decided to continue the trial proceedings of Zia Charitable Trust corruption case inside Old Dhaka Central Jail in her absence.

Earlier on September 5, the BNP chief appeared before the makeshift court inside the Old Dhaka jail and refused to appear before it for hearing, saying she was ill.       

On September 13, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyers filed a petition to continue the trial proceedings in the absence of the suspect under section 540 ‘A’ of the Penal Code.   

On August 8, 2011, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources abusing power.  

On February 8, Khaleda Zia was sent to jail after a special court sentenced her to five years' rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.