Dhaka: A court here on Thursday fixed January 3 and 4 for the defence to place further arguments in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case filed against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Dhaka Special Court-5 in Bakshibazar adjourned the argument hearing for the fifth day and ordered to place rest of the arguments on January 3 and 4.

Khaleda’s counsel Khandakar Mahbub Hossain and AJ Mohammad Ali placed the arguments where they said that the case is politically-motivated.

The graft case was filed against Khaleda showing fake documents out of political vengeance they said.

Earlier on December 21, the court fixed December 26, 27 and 28 for placing the defence arguments in the graft case against Khaleda Zia.

On July 3, 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

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