Sayeed Muhammad of DOT
A Dhaka court has deferred the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and nine others in the Barapukuria graft case till February 26.
Judge ASM Ruhul Imran of Special Judge’s Court-2 yesterday passed the order after Khaleda’s lawyer Ziauddin Zia moved a petition seeking adjournment of hearing, reports The Daily Star.
Lawyer of another accused Barrister Aminul Haque also filed a leave-to-appeal with the court seeking more time saying that the High Court has stayed the case. Public Prosecutor of Anti-Corruption Commission Mosharraf Hossain Kajol said they could not conduct indictment hearing due to the High Court stay order.
On October 5, 2008, the ACC submitted chargesheet against Khaleda and 15 others in the case.
Six persons including former finance minister Saifur Rahman were dropped from charge sheet after their death.
On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh police accusing 16 people including Khaleda and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder.
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