Khaleda skips graft case proceedings
A Dhaka court yesterday recorded statement of the complainant in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, rejecting adjournment petitions of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the prime accused in the case.
Earlier in the day, the court rejected four pleas of Khaleda's counsel seeking adjournment to record statement in the two graft cases but exempted the former prime minister from appearing before it.
Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Judge Court-3, setup on the premises of Alia Madrasa in the capital's Bakshibazar, passed the orders after recording partial deposition of Harun-ur-Rashid, deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission and also the complainant of the case.
The court adjourned the proceedings of the cases until January 15. It, however, was yet to start trial of the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Khaleda's counsels prayed for more time, citing the BNP chief's confinement to her Gulshan office and her illness.
A skirmish broke out the last time Khaleda Zia attended the trial on December 24 with supporters of BNP and the ruling Awami League clashing for over an hour.
The BNP chief had sought protection in that regard.
However, Khaleda Zia has been confined inside her Gulshan office since Saturday night and barred from leaving the premises by law enforcers.
The government and police repeatedly claimed she was not under confinement and that the arrangement was made for her security purpose.
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