A Dhaka court has fixed October 20 to hold hearings on the indictment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in 11 cases, including one for sedition.
The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayesh scheduled the hearings on Tuesday, Additional Public Prosecutor Taposh Kumar Paul told Dhaka Tribune.
Of the 11 cases, eight were filed with the capital’s Darus Salam police station and two others with Jatrabari police station in connection with arson attacks on vehicles in 2015.
The sedition case was filed with Dhaka’s chief metropolitan magistrate's court for the former prime minister’s remarks disputing the numbers of martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.
The High Court had previously stayed the trial proceedings in favour of Khaleda Zia in most of the cases.
Three other corruption cases against Khaleda -- Gatco, Niko and Barapukuria coal mine -- are now pending with as many courts in Dhaka.
Another court in Dhaka is currently hearing two more cases against the BNP chief over alleged desecration of the national flag and the celebration of her "false birthday" on August 15, when the nation mourns the killing of its founding father.
Moreover, several other cases are also being heard at courts in Comilla, including three for arson filed with the Chaddagram police station.
Khaleda Zia, who is now out of jail following an executive order from the government, is staying at her Gulshan residence.
She was earlier discharged from the capital's Evercare Hospital after 54 days of treatment for Covid-19 infections and other physical complications.