Punish me for as long as you want, Khaleda tells judge

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia told on Wednesday the special court-5 inside the Old Dhaka Central Jail to give her punishment as much as it wants as she thinks she will not get justice, reports UNB.

As the trial proceedings in Zia Charitable Trust graft case in the newly set-up makeshift court in the jail began, the authorities brought Khaleda to the court in a wheelchair around 12:15pm.

Taking permission from the special court-5 judge M Akhtaruzzaman, the BNP chief said, "There's no justice here. You can punish me for as many days as you want."

Stating that she is sick, Khaleda said 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 long."

Later, the judge adjourned the court and set September 12-13 for the next hearing on the case.

On Tuesday, the government issued a gazette notification about shifting the makeshift court on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah premises to Old Dhaka Central Jail to hold the trial of Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Khaleda has been staying in the jail since she was convicted in Zia Orphanage graft case on February 08 last.

Before leaving the court, Khaleda told journalists that her no senior lawyer was present in the court. "I wouldn't have come here had I known it."

She also questioned as to why the notice on shifting the court was not issued at least a week ago instead of yesterday (Tuesday). "I've told the court I can't appear before it repeatedly as I'm sick. I know I won't get justice from the court."