DHAKA: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia appealed with the High Court on Wednesday (February 8) seeking its directives to change the trial court for Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

She also sought a stay order on the proceedings of the trial of the case.

Currently, the case is under trail at the makeshift court of third special Judge Abu Ahmed Jomader at Bakshi Bazar in Dhaka.

Later, an HC bench comprising Justice Md. Ruhul Amin and Justice Bhismadev Chakrabarti fixed February 13 (Monday) as the date of hearing the appeal.

Khaleda’s lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon filed the plea of Khaleda Zia. Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury and Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan assisted him.

Mahbub Uddin Khokon said Khaleda filed the appeal plea to change the trial court as it (the trial court), on February 2 (Thursday), denied her plea regarding no-confidence in a judge.

Earlier on July 3, 2008, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case for allegedly misusing Tk 21,071,671 from the funds of the Zia Orphanage Trust.

A total of six people, including Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, were made accused in the case.

Other accused are: former BNP lawmaker Kazi Saleemul Haque Kamal alias Econo Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, former principal secretary to PMO Dr. Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and Mominur Rahman.

As many as 32 witnesses have given their statement in this case. 

Kazi Saleemul Haque Kamal and Sharfuddin Ahmed submitted written confessional statements while Dr. Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and Momenur Rahman remain fugitive from the outset of the trial.

BDST: 1848 HRS, FEB 08, 2017
LM/SR/SMS