HC asks for ACC documents in Niko case against Khaleda
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
The High Court (HC) Tuesday held a hearing on a writ petition filed by detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of Niko graft case and its trial proceedings, reports bdnews24.com.
The court asked the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) to submit documents, regarding the ACC's approval of the case and for taking the case into cognizance, by 2:00 pm the following day.
A High Court bench of justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury and justice Mashuk Hossain Ahmed will sit today (Wednesday) for the next hearing.
Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Khaleda Zia's counsel, filed the petition on behalf of her Monday. Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia and advocate Abdur Rezzak Khan stood for Khaleda in Tuesday's hearing.
The petition requested the High Court to quash the case, and to halt the case proceedings in trial court as a primary step.
It also asked the court to issue a rule nisi asking the government to explain why filing of the case and its trial proceedings should not be declared illegal.
In her challenge against the case, Khaleda accuses the ACC chairman, two commissioners, a deputy commissioner and Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka of misconduct in bringing the charges.
The BNP chief said, as prime minister performing her official duties according to 'rules of business', she had asked BAPEX to take necessary steps regarding three abandoned gas fields according to guidelines and regulations, but the Niko case had been filed purposely to harass her.
The court asked the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) to submit documents, regarding the ACC's approval of the case and for taking the case into cognizance, by 2:00 pm the following day.
A High Court bench of justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury and justice Mashuk Hossain Ahmed will sit today (Wednesday) for the next hearing.
Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Khaleda Zia's counsel, filed the petition on behalf of her Monday. Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia and advocate Abdur Rezzak Khan stood for Khaleda in Tuesday's hearing.
The petition requested the High Court to quash the case, and to halt the case proceedings in trial court as a primary step.
It also asked the court to issue a rule nisi asking the government to explain why filing of the case and its trial proceedings should not be declared illegal.
In her challenge against the case, Khaleda accuses the ACC chairman, two commissioners, a deputy commissioner and Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka of misconduct in bringing the charges.
The BNP chief said, as prime minister performing her official duties according to 'rules of business', she had asked BAPEX to take necessary steps regarding three abandoned gas fields according to guidelines and regulations, but the Niko case had been filed purposely to harass her.