Court defers charge framing hearing against Khaleda

A Dhaka court deferred on Sunday the hearing until June 25 on charge framing against BNP chief Khaleda Zia in Niko graft case on health ground, reports UNB.

Judge Mahmudul Kabir of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-9 set the date following a petition seeking to defer the hearing which was scheduled to be held on Sunday.

Earlier on April 19, the court fixed May 13 for the hearing.

On December 9, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Niko graft case against Khaleda and four others in connection with a Tk 1.38 billion loss to the national exchequer caused by the signing of an oil-gas exploration agreement with Canadian company Niko during BNP regime.

On May 5, 2008, it submitted a charge sheet against 11 people. Later on July 9, 2008, the High Court (HC) adjourned the case proceedings.

Later, Khaleda filed a petition with the HC challenging the legality of the case which the court rejected on June 18, 2015.