A Dhaka court yesterday extended the bail of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia until April 22 in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

The court also ordered the authorities concerned to produce Khaleda before it on that day.

Judge Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5, set up in Bakshibazar area, passed the order after Khaleda's lawyer Sanaullah Mia submitted a petition seeking extension of the bail in the case.

Khaleda, now accused in 34 cases, was not produced before the court yesterday as she was “physically ill”, according to jail authorities.

The court on March 28, asked the jail authorities to produce Khaleda before it yesterday.

On March 13, the same court issued a production warrant for Khaleda asking the jail authorities to produce her before it on every scheduled date after the prosecution submitted a petition.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station in August 2011 accusing Khaleda and three others of abusing power to raise funds for the orphanage trust from unknown sources.

Khaleda was sent to jail on February 8 after she was sentenced to five years in prison in the case.

Khaleda challenged the sentence with the High Court which granted her four months' bail. But the Supreme Court stayed the HC bail till disposal of the appeal.