Indictment hearing in Khaleda’s Gatco graft case on Oct 13

DHAKA, Sept 09, 2020 (BSS) – A Dhaka court today fixed October 13 to hold hearing on charge framing in Gatco graft case against BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and others.

Acting judge of the Dhaka Special Judge Court -3 Nazrul Islam set the date allowing a time plea of the defence. Today was set for holding hearing on charge framing, but prime accused Begum Khaleda Zia was absent on ‘health ground’. Her lawyer Zia Uddin Zia filed the time plea.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against 13 people,including Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman on September 2, 2007,with Tejgaon Police Station for their role in corruption regarding penning a
contract with Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) for container management at inland container depots in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Formal charge was submitted against 24 persons on May 13, 2008. But of the 24 accused, six including Arafat, Saifur Rahman and Matiur Rahman Nizami have died so far.