Just a day before former prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia is to appear in a special court today, the High Court once again granted her petition to change the trial court for a graft case that involves Zia Orphanage Trust.
The former prime minister stands accused of embezzling 21mn taka from funds meant for Zia Orphanage Trust, which reportedly came from a foreign bank.
The court is now hearing Zia’s statement defending herself in the case started by the Anti-
Corruption Commission in 2010. 
On April 16, Zia filed a petition to change the trial court citing lack of confidence in Dhaka’s senior special judge Kamrul Hossain Molla. 
Justice Shawkat Hossain and Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder of the High Court granted her plea yesterday. 
Earlier, the special court warned Zia that it would record her self-defence statement over Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case unless she submits a High Court order on May 15 allowing adjournment of the hearing. 
Special judge Mollah passed the order after Zia’s lawyer Jamiruddin Sircar submitted a petition seeking adjournment of the hearing.