False cases filed to make me ineligible for polls: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia told a court here on Thursday that filing of ‘false’ graft cases is part of a conspiracy to make her ineligible in the next general election.

She came up with the remarks while placing her self-defence statement before the special court at Bakshibazar in the capital in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases, UNB reported.

She alleged that the cases were filed in order to prevent her from doing politics, and to make her ineligible for the general election.

“Many ministers and ruling party men made various comments in media about me before the end of trial. Even a minister said I’ll be sent to Kashimpur jail. Isn’t it contempt of court?”

“I’m, therefore, in doubt weather I would get justice from the court,” said the BNP chief adding, “It’s their ulterior motive to annihilate me and my family from politics in a planned manner.”

The court set November 9 as the next date for hearing.

On July 3, 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21.0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

On August 8, 2011, the commission filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abuse of power in raising funds for the Trust from unknown sources.