BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has skipped today’s trial proceedings in Zia Charitable and Zia Orphanage Trust corruption cases due to her physical illness.

Sanaullah Miah, a counsel for Khaleda, confirmed it to The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar, of the Special Judge's Court-3 of Dhaka started the hearing around 10:30am.

According to the charge sheet, Khaleda and three others abused power to collect Tk 6.19 crore for Zia Charitable Trust during the BNP-led government's tenure between 1991 and 1996.

On the other hand, the statement of the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case says the BNP chief, her son Tarique Rahman and four others embezzled Tk 2.1 crore by forming the charity that exists only on paper.