HC rejects Khaleda’s plea for quashing Barapukuria case

The High Court (HC) rejected on Thursday a petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for quashing proceedings of Barapukuria coalmine corruption case against her, reports UNB.
An HC bench of Justice Md Nuruzzaman Noni and Justice Md Abdur Rob passed the order.
The bench also vacated the stay order issued by the HC on the case proceedings.
ACC lawyer M Khurshed Alam Khan told reporters that as the HC has now rejected the petition, there is no legal bar to continuation of the trial proceedings of the graft case against Khaleda.
On Tuesday, the same bench of the HC fixed on Thursday for delivering the judgment.
Earlier on August 30, the bench concluded the hearing on the petition filed by Khaleda.
On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh thana, accusing Khaleda and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 1.59 billion (159 crore) in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder, instead of the lowest one.
Responding to a petition filed by Khaleda, the HC on October 16, 2008, stayed the case proceedings and issued a rule asking the ACC to explain why the case should not be quashed.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court fixed October 15 for next hearing on two graft cases, Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Special Tribunal temporarily set up on Alia Madrasha premises in the city passed the order with completion of recording depositions of two prosecution witnesses.
Advocate Sanaullah Mia filed a time petition as his client Khaleda Zia was absent in the court as she is now staying abroad for treatment purpose.
The court accepted the petition and set the date after stopping cross-examination of the witnesses.
Assistant General Manger of Sonali Bank Md Amir Uddin and senior executive officer Poritosh Chandra Dey gave on Thursday deposition before the court as witnesses of the seizure list, said ACC lawyer Advocate Mosharraf Hossain Kazal.