HC stays operation of corruption case against Hasina

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The High Court (HC) Sunday stayed the operation of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) graft case filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on charge of taking Tk 30 million (3.0 crore) in kickbacks on a power-plant deal, reports UNB.
Responding to a writ petition filed by the detained Awami League (AL) chief, Sheikh Hasina, a HC Division Bench also issued rule upon the ACC and also the government to explain why the placing of the case under the Emergency Powers Rules (EPR) "should not be declared illegal".
"The rule is made returnable in eight weeks," says the court order.
The HC bench, comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeen Mominur Rahman and Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, however, rejected the bail prayer of Hasina.
Under the current purge against corruption in high places, the ACC filed the case against her and six others with Tejgaon police on September 2 complaining that Hasina, while in power, helped a foreign company and its local partner in setting up three barge-mounted plants under a deal.
It is alleged that the Summit and the United Group duo had to pay the money to get the contract.
Hasina, now detained in a special jail, was shown arrested on September 19.
Barrister Rafiqul Haque appeared for Sheikh Hasina.