Judge rejects Khaleda's no-confidence petition in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case

A Dhaka court has dismissed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's petition seeking reinvestigation and expressing no confidence in the judge in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

After the former prime minister did not make a statement in her defence and expressed no confidence on her part in the judge, Dhaka's Third Special Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar on Thursday set Feb 9 for hearing the defence witnesses.

The court will also hear Khaleda's unfinished statement in her defence in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case on the day.

The hearing of Zia Charitable Trust graft case was held at the court up set up temporarily in Bakshibazar from 11:30am to 4:15pm amidst heightened activities by lawyers on both sides.

Khaleda attended the hearing.

After reading out the witnesses' statements, the judge asked her whether she was guilty or not.

"I won't say anything in defence because I am not given time and my lawyers do not have confidence in the judge. So I also don't have confidence in the judge," she replied.

AJ Mohammad Ali, one of the lawyers for Khaleda Zia, told the judge at the time that the BNP chief had been 'apparently shown a lack of honour' while another lawyer, Mahbubuddin Khokan said 'these are aimed at harassing her politically'.

"No confidence! No confidence!" the others shouted.

Mosharraf Hossain Kajal, the lawyer for the plaintiff, which is the Anti-Corruption Commission, told the judge at the time that the court may record that Khaleda was not saying anything in her defence.

The BNP chief left the court when the judge set the next date at 4:15pm.