Dhaka: A special court in Dhaka on Thursday fixed 24 November for hearing the statement of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in her self-defence in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-3 passed the order during the hearing on Thursday.

Besides, the court also fixed 17 November for cross-examining the investigation officer (IO) of the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, said Khaleda Zia’s counsel Advocate Sanaullah Miah.

Earlier, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia appeared before the special court at about 10:55am to attend the case proceedings.

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

ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid, also an investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the accused on 16 January 2012.

The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 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. 0million (2.10crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.