A court in Dhaka on Tuesday started trial of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and seven others in Niko graft case through recording deposition.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Muhammad Mahbubul Alam gave his statement before Dhaka Special Judge's Court-9 Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman today. The court recorded a part his statement.

The Judge then fixed June 20 for recording the rest of the statement of the complainant in the case.

Earlier on May 17, Khaleda Zia's lawyer submitted a petition with the High Court on behalf of her seeking cancellation of charge framing order in Niko graft case.

The ACC on December 9, 2007, filed the case against five including Khaleda Zia with Tejgaon Police Station, for abusing power in signing a deal with Canadian company Niko for exploring and extracting gas.

On March 19 this year, Judge of Dhaka Special Court-9 Sheikh Hafizur Rahman framed charges against Khaleda and seven others in Niko graft case.

The court also set May 23 for recording testimonies of the witnesses.

The anti-graft body pressed charges in court against 11 people, including Khaleda, in May 2008.

The other accused in the case are former principal secretary Kamal Uddin Siddique, Khandaker Shahidul Islam, CM Yusuf Hossain, former Bapex general manager Mir Mainul Haq, Giasuddin Al Mamun, former parliamentarian MAH Selim and former vice-president of South Asia affairs of Niko Kashem Sharif.

Among the accused, BNP Standing Committee Member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former state minister AKM Mosharraf Hossain and former secretary of Bapex Shafiur Rahman died during the trial proceedings.