A Dhaka court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in the trial of Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases against Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia till 5 April. The court, however, upheld the arrest warrant for Khaleda Zia.

The court of special judge’s court-3 at the makeshift court in Alia Madrasah compound passed the order.

Khaleda Zia submitted an appeal petition for staying of the trial proceedings of Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Fund graft cases filed against her.

Khaleda Zia’s counsels Masud Ahmed Talukder and Advocate Salaullah Mia submitted the petitions to the special judge’s court-3.

The lawyers also filed petition seeking withdrawal of the arrest warrant issued against Khaleda Zia over Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable graft cases.

Earlier in the morning lawyer Sanaullah Mia said “Khaleda Zia won’t appear before the Dhaka court for security reasons. The government did not ensure adequate security for her.”

On February 25, court issued warrant for the arrest of Khaleda Zia and two other accused in the two graft cases, revoking her bail.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Judge’s Court-3 on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah playground had also fixed March 4 (Wednesday) for the next hearing on the case.

Asked whether the BNP chairperson will go to court, her press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan said she will act in this regard as per the advice of her lawyers.

A source close to Khaleda Zia said the BNP chief woke up around 8:30 am and she was waiting for the decision of her lawyers whether she will appear before the court or not.

Meanwhile, the Bakshibazar special court today (Wednesday) began hearing of the two petitions filed by Khaleda Zia seeking the withdrawal of the warrants issued for her arrest in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Fund graft cases.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of the Special Judge’s Court-3 on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah playground passed the order on Tuesday after the petitions were filed by Khaleda’s lawyer Sanaullah Miah.

On Tuesday, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, the principal counsel for the BNP chairperson, said his client is ready to surrender to the trial court subject to ensuring adequate security, bail and safe return to her Gulshan office.

“We’re respectful to law... although we’re yet to get any copy of the arrest warrant, BNP chairperson is willing to appear at the court if she is ensured adequate security, bail and safe return to her Gulshan political office,” Khandker Mahbub told reporters at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) building.

Revoking her bail, Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Judge’s Court-3 set up on the Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah playground issued warrant for the arrest of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and two other accused for not appearing before it to face trial in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Fund graft cases.

Though there was strong speculation that Khaleda may be arrested if she does not appear before the court, no extra security measures was in sight around Khaleda’s office, where she has been staying since January 3.