The trial proceedings in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case filed against Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to be continued at the lower court. The Supreme Court on Monday (Oct 30) cleared the way, as the apex court passed 'no order' following a petition filed by Khaleda, local media reports said.
The four-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by Acting Chief Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah passed the after hearing on the petition.
Khaleda filed the petition seeking order to allow her lawyers for further cross examination of nine prosecution witnesses.
Senior lawyers of the Supreme Court Advocate A J Mohammad Ali and Advocate Joynul Abedin moved for the BNP chief in the court, while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan moved for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Khurshid Alam Khan said that now there is no legal bar for the lower court to continue the trial proceedings in the case.
However, Advocate Joynul Abedin said that Khaleda will file a leave to appeal petition before the Supreme Court against an order of the High Court.
On Aug 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Tejgaon police station, accusing four people, including Khaleda, of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources through power abuse.
