Dhaka, Dec 18 (IANS): The Bangladesh government has appointed a new judge for the court trying graft cases against Khaleda Zia, chairperson of the country's main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Law ministry officials said the ministry's Joint Secretary Abu Ahmed Jamadar would replace Basudev Roy of Dhaka's Third Special Judge's Court, bdnews24.com reported.
"On the Supreme Court's recommendation, Baudev Roy has been transferred to the Patuakhali Special Judge's Court," said Abdullah Al Shahin, the ministry's information officer.
On March 19, Dhaka's Third Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Basudeb Roy framed charges against eight people, including Khaleda and her elder son Tarique Rahman, in two cases of embezzling 50 million taka ($640,000).
Earlier, the apex court rejected Khaleda's appeals that challenged the indictment and the legality of the appointment of Judge Roy.