News Desk: A Dhaka court today adjourned till May 24 the hearing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and eight others in Niko graft case.

Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-9 passed the order after a petition was filed with the court on behalf of Khaleda Zia, seeking an adjournment of the hearing, Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder, one of her lawyers, told us.

Khaleda Zia, who is now free following an executive order from the government, is sick and Masud Ahmed Talukder represented her at the court in her absence.

In the petition, Masud told the court that they would complete the hearing on behalf of Khaleda Zia on the next date of hearing.

With today, Defence has sought 42 dates under different grounds so far, according to the prosecution. Among the accused, Giausuddin Al Mamun is now in jail while six others are now on bail.

Another accused Kashem Sharif, former president of Niko Resources (Bangladesh) Limited, is on the run.

During today's hearing, two accused--Mamun and Selim Bhuiyan, now on bail, were present at the makeshift court of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.

SK