Defence for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today -- for the second day -- continued hearing on charge framing in connection with the Niko graft case.

During today's hearing, Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder cited different flaws from the first information report (FIR) and said the case was not properly filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

As the defence could not complete hearing on charges, Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka set April 4 for next hearing of the case.

During today's hearing, Advocate Zaynal Abedin Meshbah, a defence lawyer, represented Khaleda Zia at the court in her absence.

Khaleda Zia -- who is now out of jail following an executive order from the government -- is unwell and cannot leave her residence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the defence lawyers.

Khaleda and eight others are now accused in the case.

Another accused, former law minister Moudud Ahmed, died at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, on March 16.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in December 2007, accusing Khaleda and several others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to a Canadian company called Niko when she was prime minister between 2001 and 2006.

Among the other accused, Giasuddin Al Mamun, close friend of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, is now in jail, four others are now on bail and three are on the run.