Trial in Absentia: Khaleda seeks to appeal against HC order

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday filed a leave-to-appeal petition with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against a High Court order that cleared the way for continuation of her trial in absentia in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Khaleda's counsel Kaiser Kamal said they filed the petition with the SC and it would be placed before the chamber judge on Sunday for fixing a date for hearing.

On Sunday, the HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hasan and Justice SM Kuddus Zaman cleared the way to continuation of the trial of the graft case in absence of Khaleda as they rejected a writ petition filed by the BNP chief.

Earlier on September 27, the BNP chairperson filed the writ petition with the HC challenging a lower court's decision. 

On September 20, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 of Dhaka ordered that the trial of the case would continue in absence of the main accused.

Meanwhile, the special court on Tuesday fixed October 29 for delivering the verdict in the corruption case. 

Khaleda, who has been in jail since her conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, refused to appear before the court during the trial of the Zia Charitable Trust graft case on “safety grounds”. 

Later, the government shifted the court to the jail premises to ensure her safety.