BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was acquitted in five defamation cases lodged against her in various charges today.

Begum Zia's lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder confirmed the matter to newsmen saying that, “The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate  Mahbubul Haque ordered to acquit her in four cases. Also, she was acquitted in another defamation case in the court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain  this morning.”

"Today was scheduled for hearing the charges against her in these cases. As the plaintiffs were absent and  we filed an application for acquittal. The court granted the application and acquitted Khaleda Zia from these cases," he added.

Late AB Siddiqui, former president of an organization called 'Jananetri Parishad', filed multiple defamation cases  against Begum Zia.
 
Plaintiffs of other cases, however, did not appear in the court, and so the defendant’s lawyer pleaded for acquittal.