Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka also directed the authorities concerned to submit a report on the death of a BNP standing committee member and noted lawyer Moudud Ahmed, an accused in the case.
The court passed the order after one of Moudud's lawyers submitted a petition before the court informing about his death, defence counsel advocate Zia Uddin told The Daily Star.
Former law minister Moudud died at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, around 6:30 pm on March 16 at the age of 81.
During today's hearing, advocate Zaynal Abedin Meshbah, a defence lawyer, represented Khaleda Zia in the court in her absence.
Khaleda Zia -- who is now out of jail following an executive order from the government -- is unwell and cannot leave her residence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the defence lawyers.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in December 2007, accusing Khaleda and several others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to a Canadian company called Niko when she was prime minister between 2001 and 2006.
Among the other accused, Giausuddin Al Mamun, close friend of BNP acting Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, is now in jail, four other accused are now on bail and three others are on the run.
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