Khaleda verdict: DMP bans procession Feb 8

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed ban on procession and carrying sharp weapons, explosives, flammable materials, sticks in Dhaka on February 8 to avert any untoward incident centring a verdict in a graft case against Khaleda Zia.

Police came up with the decision today following intelligence and news reports that subversive activities might be carried out on that day centring a court verdict, said a press release of DMP.

The ban will be effective from 4:00am and continue until further notice, according to the release signed by DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.

The verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others will be announced on February 8.

Read More: Khaleda's Graft Case: BNP wary of Feb 8 verdict

On January 25, a special court in Dhaka fixed the date after the prosecution and defence counsels completed their 16-day closing arguments in presence of Khaleda.

The prosecution sought highest punishment (life imprisonment) for the accused, claiming that it has been able to prove the charges.

The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed the graft case with Ramna Police Station in July 2008, accusing Khaleda and five others of misappropriating over Tk 2.1 crore that had come from a foreign bank as grants for orphans.

According to the case document, then (1991-1996) prime minister Khaleda Zia opened an account named “Prime Minister's Orphanage Trust” with the Ramna branch of Sonali Bank.