Niko graft case hearing now on Feb 4

A Dhaka court adjourned the hearing of Niko graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 others until February 04, reports BSS.

Dhaka ninth special judge court passed the order after holding hearing in part on charge framing in the case.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed, who is also an accused in the case, took part in the hearing for Khaleda in her presence.

Today's hearing was also held in part for another accused Shahidul Haque.

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against five including Khaleda with Tejgaon thana on December 9, 2007 for abusing power to pen a deal with Canadian company Niko for exploring and extracting gas.

The ACC on May 05, 2008, submitted charge-sheet against 11 people including Khaleda Zia.

Accepting a petition filed by Khaleda, the HC on July 9, 2008 stayed the case proceedings and issued the rule.

The High Court (HC) on June 18, 2015 passed an order paving the way for continuation of the graft case against the BNP leader before the trial court.

The court had also asked the BNP chief to surrender before the trial court concerned within two months.

But following a fresh petition of Khaleda Zia, the HC on March 07, 2017 again stayed the proceedings of the case.