Zia charitable graft: HC clears way for Khaleda’s trial

The High Court today cleared the way for a lower court to continue the trial proceedings against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

The HC bench of Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Mahmudul Haque came up with the order rejecting a petition filed by Khaleda seeking cancellation of the trial proceedings against her.

The court today passed the rejection order considering that the petition was not submitted properly before the court.

On March 9, Khaleda challenged the legality of appointment of Harunur Rashid, the investigating officer of the case, saying that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has not published any gazette notice.

The ACC on August 8, 2011 filed the graft case accusing Khaleda and three others of abusing power in setting up the charity.

The other accused are Harris Chowdhury, Khaleda's former political secretary, Ziaul Islam Munna, assistant private secretary (APS) of Harris, and Monirul Islam Khan, APS of former mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka. Of them, Harris is on the run.