The High Court yesterday rejected a petition filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking shifting of Zia Orphanage Trust graft case to another court from the existing one, reports UNB. The HC bench of Justice M Shawkat Hossain and Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder passed the order.

The court also came up with several observations which asked lawyers of both sides to follow decorum of the court.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said following the order, the trial of the case will continue at the previous court.

Advocates A J Mohammad Ali and Jakir Hossain Bhuiyan stood for Khaleda Zia. Khaleda’s lawyers said that they will file appeal against the HC order.

Earlier, the HC concluded the hearing on the petition on August 10.

Judge Md Akhteruzzaman of Dhaka Special Court-5 is currently hearing the case.

On March 8 last, an HC bench shifted the Zia Orphanage Trust graft to the court of Senior Special Judge Quamrul Hossain Mollah from that of Special Judge’s Court-3 Abu Ahmed Jamadar following a petition.

On April 26, the BNP chief filed a petition with the High Court seeking its order to again shift the case to another court from the existing one.