A Dhaka court yesterday warned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia of arrest warrant if she fails to appear before it on February 27 in connection with 10 cases, including a sedition one.

Judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order after Khaleda's lawyer Sanaullah Miah submitted 10 petitions seeking adjournment of the hearing.

In the petitions, the lawyer said Khaleda could not appear before it due to her physical illness while Taposh Kumar Paul opposed the petitions saying that Khaleda appeared before the court on August 10 last year in connection with the cases. Later, she did not appear before the court again.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be indicted in absentia in 10 cases filed against her if she fails to appear before court yesterday, the same judge said on January 9.