Indictment hearing against Khaleda Nov 18

A Dhaka court has fixed November 18 for hearing on charge framing in Gatco graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and others, reports BSS.

Acting judge Nazrul Islam of the Dhaka Special Judge Court -3 set the date, allowing a time plea of the defence.

Prime accused Begum Khaleda Zia failed to appear before the court on health ground, making her counsels to plead for time.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against 13 people including Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman on September 2, 2007,with Tejgaon thana for their role in corruption regarding penning a contract with Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) for container management at inland container depots in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Formal charge was submitted against 24 on May 13, 2008. But of the 24 accused, six including Arafat, Saifur Rahman and Matiur Rahman Nizami have died so far.