Dhaka: A special court in Dhaka on Thursday issued arrest warrant against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Dhaka Special Court-5 Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman passed the order in response to a petition filed by the state seeking an arrest warrant against her for going to London without court's permission.

Khaleda's counsel Sanaullah Miah submitted a time petition to the makeshift court of Special Judge-5 at Bakshibazar citing his clients' stay in Landon for treatment.

The court also sent two others accused in the case - former MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed - to jail cancelling their bail.

Earlier on July 20, a petition was filed with the court seeking a warrant for the arrest of Khaleda Zia in the graft case for going to London without court's permission.

Besides, the hearing on the Zia Charitable Trust graft case against the BNP chief and others is underway at the same court.

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.