Dhaka: Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah said a kind of anxiety has been created among the people marking the pronouncement of the verdict in Zia Orphanage Trust Graft case filed against Khaleda Zia and five others on Thursday.

The police commissioner said I want to assure the city dwellers, there is no need to be panicked.  Police are prepared to ensure the safety of their lives and properties.

‘We would not allow anyone other than the conducting lawyers to enter the court.  No junior lawyers whether he is wearing gown or not, will be allowed to enter,’ said Asaduzzaman Miah while visiting the court premises this morning.

Meanwhile, law enforcers have also restricted the entry of journalists into the court premises, allowing only a person from each media house to enter. No TV cameras have been allowed to enter the premises as well.

Dhaka special judge court-5 is scheduled to issue its verdict in the case after conclusion of arguments from both prosecution and defence on January 25.

The Anti-Corruption Commission lodged Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and five others with Ramna Police Station on July 3, 2008, for embezzling Taka 2.10 crore meant for the orphans.

The other accused are Khaleda’s son and BNP senior vice-president Tarique Rahman,  former lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, Dr Kamal  Uddin Siddiqui, and her nephew Mominur Rahman.

Zia Orphanage Trust Graft Case at a glance:

•          Case filed with Ramna police on 3 July 2008

•          Plaintiff and investigation official of the case is deputy director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Harun-Aur Rashid.

•          The case statement says the embezzlement took place from 13 November 1993 to 28 March 2007.

•          Charges framed: 5 August 2010.

•          Number of proceeding days: 261

•          Number of days Khaleda Zia appear before the court: 43

•          Khaleda Zia gave self-defence statements 8 days

•          On 25 January 2018 Special Court-5 Judge Dr Akhteruzzaman fixed 8 February 2018 for delivering the verdict of the case.