Barapukuria graft: Khaleda asked to appear Mar 13

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been asked to appear before a court on March 13 in connection to Barapukuria coal mine graft case.

Judge ASM Ruhul Imran of Dhaka Special Judges’ Court-2 placed the summons on Khaleda, now in jail, and eight others after hearing this morning.

Public Prosecutor of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Mosharraf Hossain Kajol placed yesterday’s High Court order that vacated the stay on this case’s trial before the court.

The court also allowed the ACC petition to issue a production warrant against Khaleda Zia, who is now on bail in this case but was earlier convicted for 17 years in connection with Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

Earlier on October 5, 2008, the ACC pressed charges against Khaleda and 15 others in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case.

Seven persons including former finance minister Saifur Rahman were dropped from charge sheet after their death.

On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh police accusing 16 people including Khaleda and ten of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder.