Dhaka: A special court here on Tuesday deferred till June 1 the hearing on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's self defence statement in the Zia OrphanageTrust graft case.

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of Special Judge Court-5 passed the order in response to a time petition filed by her lawyer.

Earlier on May 8, the High Court ordered the transfer of the case of Zia Orphanage Trust graft to Dhaka Senior Special Judge's Court (Metropolitan Session Judge's Court) from Dhaka Special Judge's Court-3.

On July 3, 2008, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case 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.

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