Dhaka: A special court in Dhaka on Thursday fixed February 16 for hearing of Zia Charitable Trust graft case and Zia Orphanage case against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of the Special Judge Court-3 passed the order at Bakshibazar’s makeshift court in response to a time petition filed by Khaleda’s lawyer Sanaullah Mia, reports UNB.

Sanaullah Mia said Khaleda Zia could not appear before the court today due to sickness.

On August 8, 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. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.