Charge framing of Barapukuria graft case deferred

A Dhaka court yesterday deferred the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and eight others in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case, till January 31 of 2019.

Judge ASM Ruhul Imran of Special Judge's Court-2 of Dhaka passed the order after Khaleda's lawyer Ziauddin Zia submitted a petition seeking adjournment of the hearing.

The ACC accused the former prime minister and 15 others in the graft case.

On October 5, 2008, the ACC pressed charges against Khaleda and 14 others.

Six persons including former finance minister Saifur Rahman were dropped from charge sheet following their death.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court will deliver its verdict today in a graft case filed against Sadeque Hossain Khoka, former mayor of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), and three others.

Judge Mizanur Rahman Khan, special judge for Dhaka Division, will deliver the judgment around 11:00am.

The other accused are Abdul Baten, president of DCC super market in Banani; Mahmudul Hassan Azad, its general secretary; and AHM Tareque, manager of the market's parking lot.

All three are now on bail while Khoka, currently in London, was shown fugitive in the case.

Mahbubul Alam, then assistant director of ACC, filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station on February 15, 2012 over misappropriation of funds.