Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is unlikely to appear in a special court on Thursday for the hearing on the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

‘Khaleda Zia will not be able to appear before the court tomorrow for illness,’ said Sanaullah Mia, counsel for the BNP chief, on Wednesday morning.

Earlier on 31 March, the tribunal fixed 7 April  for the hearing of the case.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka Special Judge Court 3 fixed the date after recording the depositions of the prosecution witnesses in the case.

The court also asked all the accused in the case to be present in the court on the day.

A total of 32 witnesses testified in the case. The court also fixed 7 April for the deposition in the Zia Orphanage Trust case.

On 8 August, 2011, the ACC 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.

Besides, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on 3 July, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.