Another testifies in absence of Khaleda

A Dhaka court yesterday recorded statement of one more prosecution witness in Zia Charitable Trust graft case in absence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of the Special Judge Court-3 recorded statement of Mesbahul Haque, a former official of Sonali Bank's Prime Minister Office branch.

Earlier in the day, counsel for Khaleda completed cross-examination of four other prosecution witnesses. A total of 13 prosecution witnesses, including complainant of the case, have so far testified before the makeshift court at Bakshibazar in the capital.

The court fixed November 5 for Khaleda's lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder to cross-examine the witness.

Before that, Masud filed two petitions, saying the BNP chief went to London for treatment and they wanted to cross-examine the witness on the next scheduled date. He also told the court Khalda would return on November 7. He filed two more petitions over Khaleda's absence.

The BNP chief earlier had postponed the date of her return at least four times. Family and party sources said Khaleda was first scheduled to return home on October 8. Later she cancelled booking on October 15 and 19.

Sources say she might return on November 3 as she has given booking at an Emirates Airlines flight on November 2. Also the BNP chief wants to come after November 2, after the hearing of the petitions of war criminals Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed.

The Apex court is scheduled to hear the petitions on November 2.

On September 10, the former premier appeared before court for the hearing in Zia Charitable and Zia Orphanage trust graft cases. Before that, she didn't appear before the court citing health issues, for three consecutive days.

According to the charge sheet in the Zia Charitable Trust case, Khaleda and three others abused power to collect Tk 6.19 crore for the trust during the BNP-led government's tenure between 1991 and 1996.

In the Zia Orphanage Trust case, the BNP chief, her son Tarique Rahman and four others are accused of embezzling Tk 2.1 crore by forming the charity that exists only on paper.