Coco, counsels may face forgery charges

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The High Court Monday asked Arafat Rahman Coco, son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, and his lawyers to explain the forgery allegations against them after the government accused them last week of filing a petition with the court through fake power of attorney, reports bdnews24.com.
Coco's petition to the High Court, filed on August 2, challenges a money laundering case against him filed by the Anti-corruption Commission in March this year.
The government filed a counter petition with the court three days later, on August 5, accusing Coco and his lawyers of producing a fake power of attorney in filing the petition.
The government sought permission to file criminal cases against those who were involved with adopting illegal means in filing Coco's petition.
The bench of Justice Syed Refat Ahmed and Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury Monday asked Coco, his two lawyers, power of attorney Taherul Islam Touhid and Barrister Mahbu-buddin Khokan to explain within three weeks why forgery charges should not be investigated.
The court also stayed the hearing on Coco's petition.
The same High Court bench is proceeding separately on Coco's petition that was filed on August 2 by Taherul Islam Touhid claiming power of attorney on behalf of Coco who is currently residing in Thailand.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told the court on August 5 that the proper official of the Bangladesh embassy in Thailand had not certified the power of attorney claimed by Touhid in the hearing of Coco's petition.
The Attorney General also said the power of attorney showed a false address.
He accused Coco's lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon of falsely attesting his client's signature on the alleged power of attorney.
He said: 'it was clear' Coco did not authorise Touhid's signature and that the power of attorney was 'a forged and fabricated document'.
The Attorney General said it needed investigating and criminal charges should be filed.
The ACC case against Coco, filed under the Money Laundering Act 2009, accuses him of laundering funds to Singapore worth nearly US $932,000 and Singapore $2.8 million.
It further accuses him of earning the money illegally from foreign companies in exchange for awarding government contracts between 2004 and 2007, when his mother was Prime Minister.
Coco is receiving treatment at Bangkok on parole granted on July 19 last year after he fell sick in jail.