Zia Charitable Trust graft case: Khaleda’s bail extended till April 17

A court here on Tuesday extended until April 5 the bail of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Judge Md Akhteruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 passed the order following a petition filed by the BNP chief’s lawyers.

The court also ordered to place further arguments on July 17.

However, the BNP chairperson was not produced before the court from jail today as per its order as she is ill, said her lawyers.

The court order came after Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajal had appealed to it, saying it was not possible to continue arguments in the case without the presence of Khaleda Zia.

On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

The same court on February 8 last convicted the former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.