Dhaka: A court here on Thursday fixed September 20 to deliver its order whether the trial proceedings in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case will continue in the absence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Judge Md Akhteruzzaman of Special Judge Court-5 fixed the date after a hearing.

Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajol on Thursday filed a petition to deliver the verdict in the case seeking completion of trial in the absence of Khaleda as she did not appear before the court during the last several months due to her illness.

Besides, Khaleda’s lawyer filed a petition to allow two lawyers to meet her in jail to have an idea about her physical condition.

In response to the petition, the court instructed the jail authorities to take steps as per prison rules.

The court on Wednesday asked Khaleda’s lawyer Sanaullah Mia to submit a written explanation today stating how the trial proceedings will continue in the case.

On September 4, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry issued a gazette notification to hold the trial of Khaleda Zia in the case at the Old Dhaka Central Jail after setting up a makeshift court there.

The following day Khaleda was produced before the special court-5 when she stated that she is sick and she will neither be able to appear before the court repeatedly nor can stay there for a long time.

The BNP chairperson is now at Nazimuddin Road central jail, serving five years’ rigorous imprisonment as she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8 this year.