Gatco graft case against Khaleda to continue: HC

The High Court (HC) has lifted the freeze on Gatco graft case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and others about 8 years ago. It ordered that the case will continue. The HC on Wednesday rejected two writ petitions filed by Khaleda challenging the inclusion and legality of Gatco graft case against her. The HC verdict cleared the way for Khaleda's trial in the case. Withdrewing the freeze on Gatco graft case against the BNP chief and others, the HC said today that the proceedings will continue in the trial court. The HC bench comprising Justice M Nuruzzaman and Justice Abdur Rob also asked the former prime minister to surrender before the trial court within two months after receiving the court order. The higher court dismissed its long-pending rule asking the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain why Gatco graft case filed against the BNP chief and others should not be quashed. On June 7 this year, after concluding the hearing on the rule, the HC, said, “Hearing concluded in the case; judgment CAV (Curia Advisari Vult)”. From April 19, AJ Mohammad Ali and Barrister Badrudduza Badal moved for Khaleda Zia in the rule hearing while M Khushid Alam Khan placed his argument on behalf of ACC. Rejecting the four petitions filed by the BNP chief to defer the rule hearing, the HC bench of Justice M Nuruzzaman and Justice Jafar Ahmed started a hearing on a 7-year-old writ petition challenging the legality of Gatco case filed against Khaleda. On April 7, Chief Justice SK Sinha assigned the bench to deal with Niko, Gatco and Barapukura Coal Mine graft cases. Later, Justice Abdur Rob was replaced by Justice Jafar Ahmed to settle the rule on Gatco graft case, filed on September 2, 2007, by the ACC against Khaleda, her youngest son Arafat Rahman Coco and 11 others, according to a news agency.
- mbz