The recording of deposition of Harun-ur-Rashid, the investigating officer of the Zia Charitable Trust Graft case against BP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and others began yesterday.
The case was filed against the BNP Chairperson and three others.
However, Khaleda Zia, also a three times former prime minister, skipped the court hearing due to her illness in the case filed by the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC).
Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of the Dhaka Special Judges Court 3 recorded the statement of Rashiduzzman, Senior Manager of Metro Makers Ltd.
The court also partially recorded deposition of the investigation officer and ACC’s Deputy Director Harunur Rashid in the Zia Charitable Trust Graft case.
The court adjourned the trial proceedings until December 31.
Before recording of depositions of the witnesses, defense counsels cross-examined Sonali Bank Deputy General Manager (DGM) Abdul Gafur, its Assistant General Manager (AGM) Harunur Rashid, Senior Principal Officer Harun-or-Rashid Fakir and General Manager Amin Uddin Ahamed.
The four Sonali Bank officials gave depositions on December 10 in the case. They are now posted in different branches of Sonali Bank in the capital.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of the hearing, defense counsel Md Sanaullah Miah submitted two petitions for non-appearance of Khaleda Zia mentioning that she could not appear before the court due to her illness.
The court granted the pleas.
A total of 31 prosecution witnesses gave depositions in Zia Charitable Trust Graft case.
However, the trial proceeding has now been stopped in Zia Orphanage Graft case as a petition of Khaleda Zia is pending for disposal with the Appellate Division.
The court on December 10, directed Khaleda’s counsel to submit the Appellate Division order on the case by January 14, or else the court will start recording deposition in the case.
In 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case, accusing four persons, including Khaleda Zia, on charge of abusing power to collect Tk6.19 crore for Zia Charitable Trust.
The ACC filed Zia Orphanage Trust Graft case against Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others in 2009 on charges of embezzlement of over Tk2.1 crore by forming the trust.
ACC’s public prosecutors Mosharraf Hossain Kajol, Mir Abdus Salam appeared before the court while AJ Mohammad Ali and Abdur Razzak Khan, Aminul Islam were present on behalf of defence.
