Dhaka, Feb 27 – The Special Judge Court-3 of Dhaka on Wednesday fixed March 18 for hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and 16 others in connection with the Gatco corruption case.
Judge Abu Syed Diljar Hossain of the court passed the order after hearing both defence and prosecution lawyers.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was taken to the court in a wheelchair around 12:50 pm. She did not say anything during the hearing.
Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder was seen talking with Khaleda Zia after the judge had exited the court.
Contacted, Masud Ahmed Talukder told the media people, “Khaleda Zia didn’t discuss anything about politics. She just told him that her health was not well.”
Earlier, on February 7, the prosecution began hearing on charge framing in the graft case.
On September 2, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Tejgaon Model Police Station against Khaleda Zia and several others on charges of misappropriating around Tk 1,000 crore while dealing with Global Agro Trade (Private) Company Limited (Gatco).On May 13, 2008, the ACC pressed charges against Khaleda Zia and 23 others.
Meanwhile, the names of seven other accused, including Khaleda’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, were dropped from the charge sheet following their deaths on different dates.
