Court defers bribery hearing as Tarique pleads ill
Friday, 20 June 2008
Special Judge's Court-9 Thursday pushed back charge framing proceedings to June 25 in a bribery case linked to the murder of Bashundhora Group director Humayun Kabir Sabbir, reports bdnews24.com.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin adjourned proceedings following a request by lawyers of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's detained elder son Tarique Rahman, who they said, could not be present in the court because of illness.
Defence counsel barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah told the court, set up on the Jatiyo Songsod Bhobon premises, that his client was very ill.
He also asked the court to send Tarique abroad for better treatment, and halt trial proceedings until his recovery.
Prosecution lawyer Sheikh Golam Hafiz told the court that the defence was making excuses to halt the trial by citing Tarique's illness.
There was scope to make arrangements for Tarique's medical treatment by exempting him from personal appearance, while the trial continued, the lawyer said.
"The trial should go ahead in a timely manner according to due judicial procedure, while the matter of sending him abroad should be decided by the executive branch of the state," the prosecution lawyer said.
He added that the prosecution did not have any problem with Tarique seeking medical treatment as required.
Tarique's lawyers were, therefore, needlessly attempting to delay the trial proceedings, Mr Golam Hafiz said.
On June 15, Tarique's lawyers made two separate requests for their client to halt the trial proceedings and make arrangements for his proper treatment.
The judge set June 19 to give his decision on the matter. But the court Thursday adjourned proceedings to June 25 without giving any decision.
Detained former home minister Lutfozzaman Babor and Bashundhora Group official Abu Sufian, also accused in the bribery case, were present in the court Thursday.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin adjourned proceedings following a request by lawyers of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's detained elder son Tarique Rahman, who they said, could not be present in the court because of illness.
Defence counsel barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah told the court, set up on the Jatiyo Songsod Bhobon premises, that his client was very ill.
He also asked the court to send Tarique abroad for better treatment, and halt trial proceedings until his recovery.
Prosecution lawyer Sheikh Golam Hafiz told the court that the defence was making excuses to halt the trial by citing Tarique's illness.
There was scope to make arrangements for Tarique's medical treatment by exempting him from personal appearance, while the trial continued, the lawyer said.
"The trial should go ahead in a timely manner according to due judicial procedure, while the matter of sending him abroad should be decided by the executive branch of the state," the prosecution lawyer said.
He added that the prosecution did not have any problem with Tarique seeking medical treatment as required.
Tarique's lawyers were, therefore, needlessly attempting to delay the trial proceedings, Mr Golam Hafiz said.
On June 15, Tarique's lawyers made two separate requests for their client to halt the trial proceedings and make arrangements for his proper treatment.
The judge set June 19 to give his decision on the matter. But the court Thursday adjourned proceedings to June 25 without giving any decision.
Detained former home minister Lutfozzaman Babor and Bashundhora Group official Abu Sufian, also accused in the bribery case, were present in the court Thursday.