Jailed Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was kept isolated in a makeshift courtroom at Bakhshibazar in Old Dhaka during hearing in GATCO case on Thursday.
After hearing for about 45 minutes, Khaleda Zia’s defence counsel were, however, allowed to consult the former prime minister on legal issues in the presence of law enforcers.
Pointing to a makeshift wall erected in the court room that obfuscated her view of the judge, Khaleda Zia said “I am not able to see you [judge]. Put me in the dock if necessary, but not here.”
“In the court this wall didn’t exist before. From where did it come? I won’t stay here. I’ll go away,” Khaleda Zia added.
She made the remarks during the hearing of the case at the court of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-3 of Judge Abu Syed Diljar Hossain today.
In light-pink chiffon sari, Khaleda was seen sitting in a wheelchair at an isolated place in the makeshift courtroom separated by a newly built wall closed to the judge’s dais. Usually, she sat in a separate chair in front of the dock.
‘I cannot see you honourable judge,’ said heavy-guarded Khaleda soon after the hearing had begun. She said that if necessary she could be placed in the dock.
The judge said that he would consider the matter on next date of trial, and continued referring an High Court order for completing the trial within six months.
Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutor Mosharaf Hossain Kajol told the court that it was a 12-year-old and the trial should be commencing without any delay.
Khaleda Zia’s counsel Mahbub Uddin Khokon said that the High Court had stayed the trial after the charge sheet was submitted as the defence counsel had challenged the case.
The court reminded the defence counsel that he had a binding to complete the trial within six months.
Khaleda Zia’s another counsel AJ Mohammad Ali argued that as per the law, the hearing could not proceed without providing necessary documents to the defence.
The defence counsel again pointed out why Khaleda Zia was kept isolated in the courtroom.
Prosecutor Mosharaf started shouting that all the accused should be in the dock.
‘Let the court issue decide. You cannot direct the court,’ AJ Mohammad Ali replied Mosharaf.
Mahbub Uddin told the court that this trial was being monitored locally and internationally, and due course of law should be followed.
The court adjourned the trial and allowed the defence counsel to consult Khaleda, whose lower portion was seen covered with white cloth.
The police cordoned off Khaleda Zia and her aide Fatema Begum and later took them back to a part of Dhaka Central Jail, where Khaleda had been living since February 8, 2018.
Khaleda Zia was taken to the court on a wheelchair around 12:40pm. The BNP chief was kept segregated beside the dock erecting a partition in the court.
YS
