‘BNP threatens movement if verdict comes against Khaleda’

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy today warned that his party will go for a tough movement if verdict in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case is given in line with government directive.

“An oust-government movement will be started if any negative verdict in line with the government directive is given against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia,” he said.

Gayeshwar came up with the warning while addressing a programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital today.

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 in Dhaka fixed February 8 to announce the judgement in the corruption case against Khaleda, her son Tarique Rahman and four others as the defence counsels yesterday completed their 16-day closing arguments in presence of Khaleda.

Pointing finger at the ruling Awami League (AL), Gayeshwar said, “Time will tell who will lead the movement and who will take to the street. There is no result to be brought by threatening us to send to jail. We are still living in a vast jail with Khaleda Zia.”  

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft case with Ramna Police Station in July 2008, accusing Khaleda and five others of misappropriating over Tk 2.1 crore that had come from a foreign bank as grants for orphans.