Indictment hearing of Khaleda in 11 cases Mar 4

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s indictment hearing in 11 cases including a sedition suit has been deferred till March 4.

Judge KM Emrul Kayesh of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order after Khaleda's lawyer sought adjournment.

In the petitions, Khaleda's lawyer Ziauddin Zia told the court that their client had filed separate writ petitions with the High Court seeking quashing of the case proceedings.

Following a hearing, the High Court had already stayed trial proceedings of the 11 cases. Besides, Khaleda could not appear before the court as she was earlier convicted for 17 years in connection with Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable trust graft cases.

Of the 11 cases, 10 were filed in the first three months of 2015 over arson attacks on vehicles. The other case was filed with a Dhaka court on charge of making seditious comments about the freedom fighters and the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971.

Three other corruption cases—Gatco, Niko and Boropukuria coalmine graft cases—are now pending with three other Dhaka courts.

Moreover, several other cases, including three arson cases filed with Cumilla’s Chaddagram Police Station, are also now pending with different Cumilla courts.