A Special Judge Court of Dhaka on Monday deferred the charge hearing in Niko graft case filed against 11 persons including BNP Chief Begum Khaleda Zia, to August 10. Judge Mohammad Aminul Islam of the court fixed the date after hearing on a time petition. Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Md Sanaullah Miah submitted the time petition seeking more time citing lack of security for the BNP leader.
Khaleda’s counsel Md Sanaullah Miah told the court that she could not come to the court on Monday due to security reasons. .
On December 9, 2007, the ACC filed the Niko graft case against Khaleda Zia and four others in connection with a loss of Tk 137.77 to the national exchequer caused by the signing of an agreement to explore oil and gas with Niko during BNP’s rule from 2001 to 2006.
On May 5, 2008, the ACC submitted the charge sheet of the case to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka against Khaleda and 10 others.
The High Court Division on July 9, 2008 stayed the proceedings of the graft case as Khaleda Zia filed a petition challenging the legality of the case against her. The Appellate Division later upheld the stay order.
As ACC had moved to revive the case, on June 18, 2015, the High Court rejected the BNP Chief’s petition questioning the legality of the case and lifted the stay order.
Besides, the court asked the BNP Chief to surrender to the court within two months, after receiving the court order.
On November 30, Judge Mohammad Aminul Islam of Special Judge Court-9 granted bail to Khaleda Zia in the case after she surrendered before his court. -Court Correspondent
