Dhaka: A special court on Thursday fixed 26 January 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 issued the order following a petition filed by Khaleda’s counsel Sanaullah Mia.

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

She left the court at about 1:00pm.

However, the recording of the statements of all the accused in Zia Orphanage Trust case is progressing.

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 the charges against the accused on 16 January, 2012.

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.