Spl court rejects defence objection to concurrent running of Niko graft case
Thursday, 19 June 2008
A special court Wednesday rejected the defence objection to the concurrent run of the identical Niko graft cases against two former premiers and ruled that the similar offences could be tried in separate courts, reports UNB.
Passing the order, the court fixed June 26 as the next date for arraignment hearing in the case against former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 other high-profile persons.
The special court of Judge Khondoker Kamal Uzzaman in its ruling said it is not a counter-case. Although the offences are identical, the time and consequences are different in the Niko graft cases facing the two former premiers, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. "So, there is no legal bar to proceeding with the case."
Taking exception to the court rulings, the defence counsel said to the court that they would move to the High Court against its order.
In a further development, Anti-corruption Commission prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol made an impromptu attempt to open the case for framing charges against Khaleda and 10 other co-accused that triggered a fracas in the courtroom.
"The defence and the prosecution exchanged words that resulted in a pandemonium lasting for 15 minutes. The judge repeatedly urged both sides to calm down to maintain decorum of the court," says a spot account of the unwarranted situation.
Taking the floor, co-accused ex-law minister Moudud Ahmed drew attention of the court to say: "I want to know clearly whether the court wants to hold hearing on framing charges despite our objection."
Pointing finger at the court, he cited the jargons of his legal procession that say: 'Justice should not only be done, it must be seen to have been done'.
Passing the order, the court fixed June 26 as the next date for arraignment hearing in the case against former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 other high-profile persons.
The special court of Judge Khondoker Kamal Uzzaman in its ruling said it is not a counter-case. Although the offences are identical, the time and consequences are different in the Niko graft cases facing the two former premiers, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. "So, there is no legal bar to proceeding with the case."
Taking exception to the court rulings, the defence counsel said to the court that they would move to the High Court against its order.
In a further development, Anti-corruption Commission prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol made an impromptu attempt to open the case for framing charges against Khaleda and 10 other co-accused that triggered a fracas in the courtroom.
"The defence and the prosecution exchanged words that resulted in a pandemonium lasting for 15 minutes. The judge repeatedly urged both sides to calm down to maintain decorum of the court," says a spot account of the unwarranted situation.
Taking the floor, co-accused ex-law minister Moudud Ahmed drew attention of the court to say: "I want to know clearly whether the court wants to hold hearing on framing charges despite our objection."
Pointing finger at the court, he cited the jargons of his legal procession that say: 'Justice should not only be done, it must be seen to have been done'.