The verdict on Charitable Trust graft case is likely to be delivered on Monday (Oct 28) if the Appellate Division of Supreme Court dismisses a leave-to-appeal petition filed by BNP chief Khaleda Zia on the same day, says attorney general Mahbubey Alam.

Alam remarks came after the Appellate Division on Sunday fixed Monday for passing an order on the leave-to-appeal petition.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia filed the petition seeking cancellation of the High Court order clearing the way for the continuation of the trial proceedings in the case in her absence.
On Oct 16, the Special Judge’s Court 5 of Dhaka, set up in Old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road, fixed Oct 28 the date to diver the verdict in the graft case.
Alam said, “The Appellate Division heard Khaleda’s case today (Monday). The verdict will be uncertain if the top court allows the defence to move with a regular appeal.”
“However, if the appeal is dismissed the (special) court can be able to make the verdict then,” he added.
On Oct 14, the High Court cleared the way to the continuation of the trial proceedings of the graft case against Khaleda in her absence rejecting a writ petition filed by the BNP chief.
On Oct 18, a leave-to-appeal petition was filed with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the HC order.
On Sept 20, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 of Dhaka decided to continue the trial proceedings in the absence of the main accused.
On Sept 27, the BNP chairperson filed the writ petition with the HC challenging a lower court’s decision.
Meanwhile, the special court on Oct 16 fixed Oct 29 for passing the verdict in the corruption case.
Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since her conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, refused to appear before the court during the trial of the Zia Charitable Trust graft case on ‘safety grounds’, news agency UNB reports.
Later, the government shifted the court to jail premises to ensure her safety. Yet, she did not appear before the court.
The state counsel appealed to the court to continue the trial proceedings of the case in the absence of Khaleda Zia. The court accepted their pleading.
The case was filed by the Anti-corruption Commission with Tejgaon police station in August, 2011, accusing Khaleda and three others of abusing power to raise funds for the trust from unknown sources.