Khaleda may not appear before court tomorrow

Although there is a warrant out for her arrest from a Dhaka court, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is unlikely to appear before it tomorrow to seek bail in Zia orphanage and Zia charitable trust fund graft cases.

"The BNP chief won't appear before the Dhaka court for security reasons.

Earlier, Awami League men had attacked her motorcade on her way to the court. How will she go to the court as there is no security there?" Khaleda's panel lawyer advocate Sanaullah Mia told UNB.

On February 25, the court issued warrants for the arrest of Khaleda and two other accused in the graft cases.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Judge's Court-3 also fixed March 4 for the next hearing in the cases. The court has been set up in the playground of Govt Alia Madrasa in the capital's Bakshibazar.

Another Dhaka court on Sunday issued a warrant for the search of BNP chairperson's Gulshan office in a case filed under the explosive substances act.

BNP sources said Khaleda Zia was unwilling to leave her office as she has information that the government would either arrest her in the two cases or won't allow her entering the office again.

Wishing anonymity, a leader close to the BNP chief said Khaleda has already directed top leaders of her party to continue the ongoing movement even if she is arrested.

He said the BNP chief in consultation with her son and BNP Senior Vice-chairman Tarique Rahman and her party's senior leaders made a plan as to how the movement and party would be run if she is put behind bars.

Khaleda's another counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said they have filed a petition with the High Court for changing the judge of the special court as their client has no confidence in him.

He said the HC has fixed March 5 for hearing on the petition.

The lower court, said Mahbub, should not proceed with the trial in the two cases until the HC disposes of the petition.