Noor Ali extortion case, HC order on Sept 29 on Hasina's bail

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The High Court (HC) Wednesday fixed September 29 for order as to whether or not to grant bail to ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in an extortion case, filed by Noor Ali, as the government opposed her prayer during the hearings, reports UNB.
After a brief hearing of the pleas from both the sides, a vacation division bench comprising Justice Sheikh Rezowan Ali and Justice M Rais Uddin held back for five days its order on her bail petition.
The Awami League chief's principal counsel, Barrister Rafique-ul- Huq, sought bail for his client on health grounds, as she suffers from ear and eye ailments, and is now abroad on parole for treatment.
To underpin his arguments the veteran Supreme Court lawyer, who plays the go-between for a policy summit between the two former premiers and political archrivals - Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia - cited the standing recent Appellate Division judgment on the case of Sigma Huda. Sigma, wife of former BNP minister Barrister Nazmul Huda, has secured bail despite having been convicted in an ill-gotten wealth case. In addition, Barrister Rafique mentioned some current HC examples of granting bail on health grounds to high-profile corruption suspects, including BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her two sons and others.
Additional Attorney-General (Addl.AG) Mansur Habib crossed swords with the defence counsel, expressing skepticism about Hasina's illness.