Court adjourns hearing as Khaleda skips appearance

A special makeshift court in Old Dhaka Central Jail adjourned the hearing in Zia Charitable Trust graft case filed against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia as she did not agree to appear before it on Wednesday, reports UNB.
Judge Md Akhteruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 adjourned the hearing after Khaleda's lawyer filed a petition stating that holding trial of the case in the central jail without permission of the Supreme Court goes against the Constitution and the law.
The court later asked Khaleda's lawyer Sanaullah Mia to submit a written explanation on Thursday stating how the trial proceedings would continue in the case.
On September 4, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry issued a gazette notification to hold the trial of Khaleda Zia in the case at the Old Dhaka Central Jail after setting up a makeshift court there.
The following day Khaleda was produced before the special court-5 when she stated that she is sick and she will neither be able to appear before the court repeatedly nor can stay there for a long time.
"My legs will swell if I keep sitting here (on wheelchair) for a long time."
The BNP chairperson is now at Nazimuddin Road central jail, serving five years' rigorous imprisonment as she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8 this year.