Charge hearing date deferred again

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The charge hearing on a graft case against former telecommunication minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim was further held back Sunday for non-appearance of his counsel, who has apparently crossed the floor, reports UNB.
Anisul Huq, Nasim's counsel in the corruption case, has already joined the panel of Public Prosecutors (PPs) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that has waged war on corruption, court sources said.
Later, an application was filed with the makeshift special anti-graft court at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on behalf of the accused seeking time for appointing a new lawyer.
The court set June 14 as the next date of hearing.
As the court resumed after the weekend, detained Nasim, a front-ranking Awami League leader, was brought in the court amid tight security.
According to the case, Nasim, by abusing power, allowed WorldTel Holdings Limited to install 0.30 million digital telephones in the country without tender.
Nasim's associate, AHS Rahman of the Consociates Limited, was also accused in the case as he was "illegally" appointed consultant by the then telecommunication minister to supervise the project that harmed country's interests.
Abdul Hye, an officer of the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption, sued Nasim-Rahman duo on January 8, 2002.
He also investigated the case and submitted the charge sheet against them on June 13, 2002.