ACC failed to prove graft allegation, says Khaleda’s lawyer

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has so far failed to prove the allegation it has brought against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, her defence counsel said yesterday. Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, who is representing Khaleda in the trial of the case, said: “We have scrutinized all the witness depositions and evidence that the ACC has submitted in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, none of which has managed to prove beyond doubt the allegations against Khaleda Zia. When allegations are not proven beyond doubt in a criminal case, the accused gets the benefit of doubt,” the counsel added. “Khaleda Zia only seeks justice; give her true justice,” he urged the court. Khaleda Zia appeared before Dhaka Special Judge's Court 5 located at Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa compound in Dhaka yesterday for the ninth day in the trials of Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases. She appeared before the court around 11:05am, and her lawyers began presenting their arguments in her defence before Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman around 11:10am. Reading out the BNP chief's defence statement, Jamiruddin, who is a member of BNP's Standing Committee, repeatedly reminded the court of the importance of democracy, the rule of law, and justice. He said false cases were filed against Khaleda at the time of 1/11, and it was done entirely due to political reasons – to create obstruction in her political career. “Now, there are 36 cases against Khaleda,” he added. Barrister Moudud Ahmed, another defence counsel in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, said: “The entire nation knows that this case is politically motivated. Its sole aim is to remove BNP, Khaleda and Tarique Rahman from active politics. Since this is a politically motivated case, the trial is also influenced by politics. Had the process been unbiased, the case would have been dismissed as soon as it went to trial,” he added. Khaleda's defence counsels could not finish their arguments yesterday, so the court adjourned the argument hearing and ordered to place rest on January 16, 17 and 18. The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna police station on July 3, 2008, accusing Khaleda, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others of misappropriating over Tk2.1 crore that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans. On August 8, 2011, the commission filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon police station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abuse of power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.