Khaleda skips graft case hearing

A special court fixed on Tuesday May 25 as the next day for hearing plaintiff's testimonies in the graft cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, reports bdnews24.com.
It ordered the former prime minister to be present at the hearing on May 25.
Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 is hearing the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
On Tuesday, defence counsels cross-examined the plaintiff, ACC official Harunur Rashid but could not do that as Khaleda Zia was not present at the hearing.
Her lawyer Masum Ahmed Talukder pleaded to the court for time and also appealed to adjourn the witness depositions.
ACC prosecutors argued against that.
Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar did not give any order on the matter and instructed the defence to cross-examine the plaintiff.
"The cross-examination should not happen in absence of Khaleda Zia, she needs to listen to it," said the BNP chief's lawyer.
Counsels of two other accused cross-examined the ACC official, after which the court set May 25 for the next hearing.
It also ordered the BNP chief's lawyer to make sure that she attends the next hearing.
Talukder told the court that his client will attend the next hearings.