Barapukuria charge hearing against Khaleda deferred

Dhaka, Jan 31 – The Special Judge’s Court-2 of Dhaka yesterday deferred the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and nine others in the Barapukuria graft case till February 26.
Judge ASM Ruhul Imran of the special court passed the order after Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Ziauddin Zia submitted a petition seeking adjournment of hearing.
Lawyer of another accused Barrister Aminul Haque also filed a petition with the court seeking more time saying that the High Court has stayed the case.
During Thursday’s hearing, Public Prosecutor of Anti-Corruption Commission (ABC) Mosharraf Hossain Kajol said they could not conduct indictment hearing due to the High Court’s stay order.
On October 5, 2008, the ACC pressed charges against Khaleda Zia and 15 others in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.
Six persons including former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman were dropped from the charge sheet after their death.
On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station accusing 16 people including Khaleda Zia and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder. – Special Correspondent