Khaleda says govt wants to keep her away from politics

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday alleged that the ruling quarters haVE prepared a blue-print to keep her away from the political arena and disqualify her from contesting elections. The BNP chief also alleged: “I often think that there is a magic wand in the hand of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the touch of which cancelled all the cases including those of graft, irregularities and extortion that had been filed against her.” Khaleda said this in a written statement to the court while defending herself for the third day in the Zia See Orphanage Trust graft case. “None except Sheikh Hasina has such a magic wand. As a result, cases filed against all of us during the same period have been revived one after another and being hastened," she added. The case was being heard in a makeshift court of Dhaka Special Judge 5, Akhtaruzzman, at Bakhshibazar in Dhaka. Judge Akhtaruzzman set November 9 for the next hearing after rejecting a prayer of permanent bail for the former prime minister. The BNP chief also alleged that ruling party leaders were giving statements as if her conviction was a foregone conclusion. Such statements, she said, amounted to contempt of court.

“Many Cabinet members and ruling party leaders appear to have convicted me in the cases. This amounts to contempt of court. Some ministers are openly announcing that I would be convicted and kept at the Kashimpur jail,” Khaleda said. She also alleged that certain ministers are openly threatening to keep her away from the political arena after the lower court verdict.

“In view of the ruling partymen’s statements about a sub-judice matter, I have doubts about the transparency of the trial proceedings and neutral verdict of the court,” the BNP chief said.

She said many important cases have remained pending before the court for years, but cases filed against her are being conducted in a great haste, as if someone in the wings is pressing for a quick verdict. Khaleda asked why the court is running the trial proceedings so fast. Such haste raises doubts about justice in the cases, she added.

Khaleda said she does not consider herself above the law and trials and does not expect any privilege or honour for her status and role. “I don’t want any privilege or honour from the court for my status and role. But I will be happy if I get my rights. I want justice from the court,” she added.

“I am not done today; I will speak more on the next day. Now I am tired and ill,” said Khaleda. The BNP chief appeared before the court around 11:00am and gave her written statement to the court, expecting justice in the cases.

On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with the Tejgaon police station, against four, including Khaleda, on charges of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources through abuse of power. The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with the Ramna police station, accusing Khaleda, her elder son Tarique Rahman, and four others of misappropriating over Tk. 2.10 crore, received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank.

Khaleda says govt wants to keep her away from politics

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday alleged that the ruling quarters haVE prepared a blue-print to keep her away from the political arena and disqualify her from contesting elections. The BNP chief also alleged: I often think that there is a magic wand in the hand of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the touch of which cancelled all the cases including those of graft, irregularities and extortion that had been filed against her. Khaleda said this in a written statement to the court while defending herself for the third day in the Zia See Orphanage Trust graft case. None except Sheikh Hasina has such a magic wand. As a result, cases filed against all of us during the same period have been revived one after another and being hastened, she added. The case was being heard in a makeshift court of Dhaka Special Judge 5, Akhtaruzzman, at Bakhshibazar in Dhaka. Judge Akhtaruzzman set November 9 for the next hearing after rejecting a prayer of permanent bail for the former prime minister. The BNP chief also alleged that ruling party leaders were giving statements as if her conviction was a foregone conclusion. Such statements, she said, amounted to contempt of court. Many Cabinet members and ruling party leaders appear to have convicted me in the cases. This amounts to contempt of court. Some ministers are openly announcing that I would be convicted and kept at the Kashimpur jail, Khaleda said. She also alleged that certain ministers are openly threatening to keep her away from the political arena after the lower court verdict. In view of the ruling partymens statements about a sub-judice matter, I have doubts about the transparency of the trial proceedings and neutral verdict of the court, the BNP chief said. She said many important cases have remained pending before the court for years, but cases filed against her are being conducted in a great haste, as if someone in the wings is pressing for a quick verdict. Khaleda asked why the court is running the trial proceedings so fast. Such haste raises doubts about justice in the cases, she added. Khaleda said she does not consider herself above the law and trials and does not expect any privilege or honour for her status and role. I dont want any privilege or honour from the court for my status and role. But I will be happy if I get my rights. I want justice from the court, she added. I am not done today; I will speak more on the next day. Now I am tired and ill, said Khaleda. The BNP chief appeared before the court around 11:00am and gave her written statement to the court, expecting justice in the cases. On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with the Tejgaon police station, against four, including Khaleda, on charges of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources through abuse of power. The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with the Ramna police station, accusing Khaleda, her elder son Tarique Rahman, and four others of misappropriating over Tk. 2.10 crore, received as grants for orphans via a foreign bank.