A Dhaka court today fixed August 27 for hearing of Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of the Special Judge Court-3 rescheduled today's hearing to that date after accepting Khaleda's non-appearance plea.

Khaleda's lawyers moved the petitions as Khaleda did not appear before the court citing health reason during today's scheduled hearing of the lawsuits.

Advocate Taherul Islam Touhid confirmed The Daily Star that her lawyers filed the petitions seeking non-appearance for today.

After recording statements on cross-examination of the complainant, the Bakshibazar makeshift court on August 3 fixed today for further hearing.

The court on July 23 recorded statements when Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, lawyer of Khaleda, cross-examined Harun-or-Rashid, deputy director of the ACC in connection with the Zia Charitable graft case.

THE CASES

According to the charge sheet of the Zia Orphanage case, Khaleda, Tarique and four others embezzled Tk 2.1 crore by forming the charity that exists only on paper.

The statement of the other case say the BNP chief and three others abused power to collect Tk 6.19 crore for Zia Charitable Trust during the BNP-led government's tenure between 1991 and 1996.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed both the cases.

Khaleda has been irregular in attending case proceedings. She has refrained from appearing before the court on 56 out of 63 dates for hearing in the two cases.