DHAKA: The defense lawyers of the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia placed their closing arguments before the court on Wednesday (December 27) in presence of the BNP chief.
They presented the arguments for the fourth consecutive day before the Special Judges Court-5, the makeshift court set up on the premises of Madrasa-e-Alia Dhaka in city’s Bakshibazar area.
The defense lawyers sought acquittal of the BNP chief from charges, saying that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has not been able to prove the allegations brought against Khaleda Zia with the evidences they presented at the court.
The BNP chief’s lawyers, however, apprehend of injustice in the case, saying that the case was filed from political motive and the government wants to gain political achievement.
Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain, a lawyer of Khaleda Zia, said that the case was filed just to harass the BNP chief. Khaleda Zia will be acquitted from the charges in the case if it runs properly.
Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia reached the special court at about 11:15 am to appear for the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and the Zia Charitable Trust graft case. Her lawyer Advocate Abdur Rezzak Khan and other lawyers presented arguments on behalf of the former prime minister.
Judge of the special court Md Akhtaruzzaman recorded the defense closing arguments.
Alongside Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain and Advocate Abdur Rezzak Khan, president of Supreme Court Bar Association Advocate Joynul Abedin, Secretary Barrister AH Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Advocate Sanaullah Mia and Masud Ahmed Talukder also moved for Khaleda Zia in the court.
On the other hand, Advocate Mosharraf Hossain Kajol, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu, Advocate Meer Abdus Salam and Advocate Amin Uddin Manik moved for the ACC.
The defense lawyers also placed their closing arguments on Tuesday (December 26). The court adjourned it till December 27 (Wednesday).
Earlier few days ago, ACC lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajol concluded his arguments for seeking life imprisonment for Khaleda Zia and five others accused in the case.
On December 05, Khaleda Zia surrendered before the special court and received bail in the two cases.
On August 8 in 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station in the city, accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources through power abuse.
On July 3 in 2008, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with city’s Ramna Police Station, accusing Khaleda Zia, her elder son Tarique Rahman and four others for misappropriating over Tk 2.10 crore that was received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank.
BDST: 1800 HRS, DEC 27, 2017
EHJ
