Court Set Aug 5 For Charge Framing Hearing Against Khaleda

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge's Court-2 of Dhaka court today deferred to August 5 the hearing on charge framing in Barapukuria coalmine corruption case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and six others. The Judge set the date after an application on behalf of the state was lodged, seeking adjournment of the hearing as ACC Chief Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol was absent due to illness.

Khaleda, who is now out of jail following an executive order from the government, is unwell and she is receiving treatment in staying at her Gulshan residence.

As Khaleda's personal appearance was exempted earlier, advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder represented her at the court.

The prosecution on August 8 last year formally proposed for framing charges against Khaleda and six others in the case.

During today's hearing, three other accused, including BNP leaders Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, now on bail, were absent at the court by submitting time petitions through their lawyers while two others were present.

Another accused Md Sirajul Islam has been absconding since the case was filed against him.

On February 26, 2008, Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing 16 people, including Khaleda and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues, on charge of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder.

ACC pressed charges against Khaleda and 15 others in the case on October 5, 2008.

Seven accused, including former ministers M Saifur Rahman and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan died during the trial, while Jamaat leaders Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and Motiur Rahman Nizami were executed for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971. So, the nine accused were dropped from the trial.