Khaleda's Gatco Graft Case: Indictment Hearing In October 23

Today, a court has scheduled a hearing for the Gatco Graft Case involving BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and 14 other individuals on October 23. Judge Ali Hossen of Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 has rescheduled the hearing date, granting a request for additional time from the defense.

This case stems from events on September 2, 2007, when the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed charges against 13 individuals, including Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko.

They were accused of embezzling a significant sum of money in their dealings with Global Agro Trade (Pvt.) Company Ltd (GATCO) and were subsequently arrested the following day. The case was later incorporated into the Emergency Powers Act on September 18 of the same year.

On May 13, 2008, the anti-corruption body formally filed charges against the BNP chief and 23 others, leading to 11 individuals being indicted in the case. Subsequently, the names of eleven accused, including Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, were removed from the charge sheet due to their passing away on different occasions.