A Dhaka court has set 27 June as the date for the indictment hearing against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in two separate cases. One case pertains to allegations of observing a false birthday on National Mourning Day, while the other accuses her of tarnishing the legacy of the Liberation War.
The hearing was initially scheduled for today; however, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Noor granted a deferral following a plea from the defence, citing Khaleda Zia’s illness. Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder, representing the BNP chief, submitted the time petition, explaining that his client was unable to attend due to health concerns.
Background of the Cases
| Case | Filed By | Date of Filing | Allegations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fake Birthday Case | Journalist Gazi Jahirul Islam | 30 August 2016 | Khaleda Zia allegedly celebrated a false birthday on 15 August (National Mourning Day) to dishonour Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. |
| Liberation War Stigma Case | Jananetri Parishad President AB Siddiqui | 3 November 2016 | Allegations that Khaleda Zia and her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, tarnished the Liberation War by rehabilitating anti-independence elements. |
Details of the Fake Birthday Allegations
The complainant in the fake birthday case claims that since 1996, Khaleda Zia has been celebrating 15 August as her birthday, coinciding with the tragic assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his family. The prosecution argues that this act was deliberate and intended to disrespect Bangabandhu’s legacy.
As evidence, the prosecution has submitted various documents, including:
- Newspaper reports detailing her birthday celebrations on 15 August
- Copies of her passport
- Marriage certificate
- Academic mark sheets, all of which indicate that her actual birth date is different
Progress of the Cases
Khaleda Zia was granted bail in both cases by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Qayesh on 31 July 2018. Despite this, the proceedings have seen multiple delays.
The upcoming hearing on 27 June will be crucial in determining the course of these legal battles. If charges are framed, formal proceedings will commence against the BNP leader. The cases remain politically significant, given Khaleda Zia’s prominent position in Bangladesh’s political landscape and the historical implications of the allegations.
The court’s decision on this matter is expected to have a considerable impact on the country’s political scenario, especially in the lead-up to the next general elections.