Khaleda asks for new judge again in Zia Orphanage Trust graft trial

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has once again asked that a new judge hears her over Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 April 2017, 01:16 PM
Updated : 26 April 2017, 01:16 PM

The former prime minister, who stands accused of embezzling around Tk 21 million in the 2008 case, made the plea stating her lack of confidence in Senior Special Judge Kamrul Hossain Molla.

Khaleda's lawyer Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan submitted the petition at the relevant wing of Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The High Court earlier replaced Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar at Dhaka's Third Special Judge Court with Molla following Khaleda's petition.

"Khaleda Zia believes that she might not get justice from Kamrul Hossain Molla as he was a director of the ACC's legal wing from 2010 to 2015," Advocate Zakir told bdnews24.com.

The Anti-Corruption Commission sued the BNP chief in 2008 and pressed charges against her in court the next year.

Five years later, Dhaka's Third Special Judge Basudeb Roy accepted those charges setting off trial of Khaleda and five others in the case.

Former Magura lawmaker Kazi Salimul Hoque Kamal and businessman Shorfuddin Ahmed are out on bail among the accused while Khaleda's son Tarique Rahman is staying in London.

Former Principal Secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and late president Ziaur Rahman's nephew Mominur Rahman have been absconding since filing of the case.

On Feb 2, Khaleda asked for re-investigation into the charges saying her lack of trust in the presiding judge.

Hearing her plea, High Court appointed Dhaka's Senior Special Judge Kamrul Hossain Molla on Mar 8 and ordered him to dispose of the case within 60 days.

On Apr 13, Khaleda appeared in court to defend herself but intimated her lack of trust in the judge on the same grounds.

Judge Kamrul turned down her plea then saying he was appointed by the High Court.