Deposition in Khaleda cases deferred again

A Dhaka court has again deferred hearing to record testimony in 'Zia Orphanage Trust' and 'Zia Charitable Trust' graft cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The deposition was to take place in a makeshift court at the Alia Madrasa in Old Dhaka on Thursday. Special Judge-3 Basudeb Roy set July 9 as the new date following a defence petition seeking more time. Earlier the deposition was to be held on May 21. Defence counsel Sanaullah Miah said they had moved the High Court challenging the legality of the appointment of Judge Basudeb Roy. On May 25, an HC bench of justices Farah Mahbub and Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo issued a split verdict on the plea, following which the chief justice sent the writ to a third bench. The hearing is to be held at the third bench on Thursday. 'That's why we have prayed to stop the deposition,' the lawyer said. Khaleda on May 12 challenged the legality of appointment of Judge Roy who indicted her in the ‘Zia Orphanage Trust’ and the ‘Zia Charitable Trust’ cases on March 19. She also sought a stay order on the proceedings of the cases. After a 2-day hearing, Justice Farah Mahbub issued a ruling and ordered a freeze on the proceedings of the two corruption cases while Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo wanted to scrap the petitions. As per rule, the matter was forwarded to the chief justice who assigned Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque's signle bench to hear the pleas, according to bdnews24.com.