Where will I get remedy?: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today expressed her doubt on whether she would get justice in connection with the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases.

“The ruling quarter is interfering in the judiciary in many ways and thus confusion has emerged in people’s minds over whether I would get justice,” Khaleda said in her self-defence statement before the court.

Khaleda also blamed the prime minister and senior leaders of the government for influencing the trial proceedings of the sub-judice matter.  

“Honorable court, I am being harassed and dishonoured due to advance comments on the sub-judice matter. Whom should I ask for remedy? Where will I get the remedy?” Khaleda said.

The BNP chairperson appeared in the court seeking bail in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases after the court issued arrest warrant against her when she was in London.

In her argument, Khaleda cited an example and said, “Anti-Corruption Commission filed a money laundering case against my son Tarique Rahman and a judge acquitted him in his absence. Later, the judge along with his family has been forced to flee the country.”

In the make-shift court in Bakshibazar, the BNP chairperson also pointed out that it is not the court premises “where you (judges) are sitting and disposing of the cases.”

“I recall my memories of Fakhruddin-Moinuddin regime when I appear before the court. A special court was set up at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to dishonour and undermine the country’s democracy, parliament and lawmakers through its motivated trial proceedings,” Khaleda said.

“But why the continuation of the Fakhruddin-Moinuddin regime is still going on?” she asked, adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also accused of bribery cases and all those were quashed after she (Hasina) formed the government.

“Despite having such records, the prime minister, ministers and senior leaders of Awami League are making discourteous comments about the sub-judice matters to influence the trial procedures,” Khaleda said.

Terming the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases as false and motivated, Khaleda said the ACC had filed the cases against her which is out of jurisdiction of the anti-corruption watchdog.

“All the allegations are fictional, blatant fabricated and filled up with contradictory statements,” the former premier said.

Khaleda said her daily life, political and organisational activities are being badly affected for such politically motivated cases. Leaders and activists of BNP across the country are also passing through a tense situation due to adverse impact of the cases, she added.