Graft trial against Khaleda to go on: SC

The Supreme Court today cleared way for Zia Orphanage Trust corruption trial against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, to be continued at a lower court.

The apex court passed “no order” on a petition filed by Khaleda seeking order to allow her lawyer for further cross examination of nine prosecution witnesses.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, performing the duties of chief justice, passed the “no order” today after hearing on the petition.

Now, there is no legal bar for the lower court concerned to continue trial proceedings in the case, Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan told The Daily Star.

He also said, Khaleda Zia can file a leave to appeal petition before the Supreme Court against an order of the High Court delivered on October 22.

On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust case with Tejgaon police, accusing four people, including Khaleda, of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources through power abuse.