HC verdict on Khaleda plea for quashing Barapukuria case Sep 17

The High Court (HC) is set to deliver its verdict on Thursday (September 17) on a petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for quashing proceedings of Barapukuria coalmine corruption case against her. An HC bench comprising Justice Md Nuruzzaman Noni and Justice Md Abdur Rob fixed the date for delivering the judgment. Khaleda's lawyer Barrister Ragib Rouf said the HC had kept pending its verdict to be delivered any day after closing arguments in the trial of the petition. Earlier on August 30, the same bench concluded the final hearing on the petition filed by Khaleda for quashing the proceedings of Barapukuria coalmine corruption case against her after closing arguments in the trial of the case. On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing Khaleda and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk1.59 billion (Tk159 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. The Appellate Division later upheld the stay order as well, leaving the corruption case in the cold. Khaleda, however, secured a permanent bail in the case on January 15, 2012. Following a petition of the Anti Corruption Commission, the HC revived the case on March 2. On August 23, the HC turned down two petitions filed by the BNP chairperson seeking all records of and the final report on Barapukuria coalmine graft case from the authorities concerned, according to a news agency.
- biplab