Khaleda lawyer cites Hasina case for dismissal of orphanage graft case

The lawyer for BNP chief Khaleda Zia has cited the quashing of a case against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as he urged for dismissal of a corruption case against her at the Supreme Court.
An Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, Wednesday heard the appeal against High Court’s rejection of a petition that challenged trial court’s taking cognisance of charges against Khaleda in Zia Orphanage Trust case.
Hearing on the petition began Monday, three years after the former prime minister moved the Appellate Division against the High Court’s rejection, according to a news agency.
 Lawyer Joynul Abedin said on the third day of hearing: “No evidence of this case contains signature of Khaleda Zia. It seems from the charge-sheet that she had no role in it (alleged corruption).
“Fund embezzlement is being alleged, but the money didn’t go to embezzlement stage. There was no element necessary to take cognisance of the charge against Khaleda Zia,” he said.
At one stage, the lawyer cited the quashing of a case against Hasina. “You quashed a case against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Khaleda Zia is also a former prime minister,” he said.