Court rejects bail prayer of Sheikh Selim in extortion case
Monday, 14 July 2008
A special court Sunday rejected the bail prayer of former Health Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim who faces the trial in a Tk 30 million (3.0 crore) extortion c7ase along with his cousins former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, reports UNB.
Shiekh Selim was arrested on May 28 last year by the joint forces.
Passing the order, the special court set July 27 for reopening the stalled trial with deposition by the prosecution witness and complainant of the case businessman Azam J Chowdhury.
Earlier, in the day, special court Judge M Ashraf Hossain, disposing of a pending petition, exempted Sheikh Hasina on health ground from personal appearance during the trial of the case.
Hasina, also president of Awami League (AL), was earlier granted similar exemption from personal appearance in court in connection with four other corruption cases.
Hasina, now abroad, left for the USA on June 12 following an executive order releasing her for eight weeks for overseas treatment.
As the special court, set up in the high-security parliament complex to try high-profile corruption suspects, resumed at 10:35 am, defence counsel Sahara Khatun submitted attendance for absentee-accused Hasina. Earlier, the prosecution brought Sheikh Selim to the court amid tight security.
Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of Sheikh Hasina, will be tried in absentia as the prosecution had shown her absconding.
The stalled trial of the Tk 30 million (3.0 crore) extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury against Hasina and two others was resumed on June 19 after the lapse of 20 weeks.
Shiekh Selim was arrested on May 28 last year by the joint forces.
Passing the order, the special court set July 27 for reopening the stalled trial with deposition by the prosecution witness and complainant of the case businessman Azam J Chowdhury.
Earlier, in the day, special court Judge M Ashraf Hossain, disposing of a pending petition, exempted Sheikh Hasina on health ground from personal appearance during the trial of the case.
Hasina, also president of Awami League (AL), was earlier granted similar exemption from personal appearance in court in connection with four other corruption cases.
Hasina, now abroad, left for the USA on June 12 following an executive order releasing her for eight weeks for overseas treatment.
As the special court, set up in the high-security parliament complex to try high-profile corruption suspects, resumed at 10:35 am, defence counsel Sahara Khatun submitted attendance for absentee-accused Hasina. Earlier, the prosecution brought Sheikh Selim to the court amid tight security.
Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of Sheikh Hasina, will be tried in absentia as the prosecution had shown her absconding.
The stalled trial of the Tk 30 million (3.0 crore) extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury against Hasina and two others was resumed on June 19 after the lapse of 20 weeks.