Defence argument continuing in Zia orphanage graft case

Defence argument continuing in Zia orphanage graft case

Dhaka, Dec 26 (Just News): BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s defence lawyer is placing his closing arguments before the court on Tuesday for the fourth day in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Advocate Abdur Rezzak Khan is placing the arguments in the Zia Orphanage Trust case in the court of Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka Special Court-5.

On December 21, the court fixed December 26, 27 and 28 for the defence to place further arguments in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable graft cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Earlier on December 5, after Khaleda's deposition, the court fixed December 19, 20 and 21 for the next hearings in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

On November 30, the court issued an arrest warrant for Khaleda Zia in the two graft cases after cancelling her ad-interim bail as she failed to appear before it on the day.

On October 19, the court granted bail to her upon a Tk 0.1 million (1 lakh) bond each in the two graft cases.

On July 3, 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

On August 8, 2011, the commission filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abuse of power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.


(Justnews/ys/1310hr)