'Khaleda to be tried in absentia'

The High Court on Sunday cleared the way to continue the trial proceedings of Zia Charitable Trust graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in her absence.

The bench of justice Obaidul Hasan and justice SM Kuddus Zaman passed the order rejecting a review petition filed by Khaleda, a former prime minister.

"Now there is no legal bar to continue the trial proceedings of the case in Khaleda's absence," said Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khursid Alam Khan.

Earlier on September 27, the BNP chairperson filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging a lower court's decision.

Kaiser Kamal, a counsel for Khaleda Zia, filed the petition on behalf of the main accused in the case.

On September 20, judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the special court, entrusted to try the case, decided to continue the trial proceedings in absence of the main accused.

Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since her conviction in the Zia orphanage trust graft case on February 8, refused to appear before the court during the trial of Zia charitable trust case on 'safety grounds'.

Later, the government shifted the court to jail premises to ensure his safety. Yet, she did not appear before the court.

The state counsel appealed to the court to continue the trial proceedings of the case in absence of Khaleda Zia. The court accepted their pleading.