Indictment hearing against Khaleda again deferred

A Dhaka court yesterday for the second time deferred to June 7 for hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 others in Niko graft case.

Judge Md Aminul Islam of the Special Judge Court-9 accepted Khaleda's non-appearance plea for yesterday and passed the order in response to two petitions seeking adjournment of the hearing.

BNP leader and former state minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain and four others, now on bail, were present at the court. Khaleda and former law minister Moudud Ahmed remained absent due to their illness. Another accused former acting energy secretary Khondaker Shahidul Islam was also absent. Three others are still at large. 

The ACC filed the case in December 2007 accusing that Khaleda and several others abused power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko when she was prime minister between 2001 and 2006.

The High Court on June 18 last year rejected a petition filed by Khaleda challenging the legality of the opening and proceedings of the case.

It also ordered the BNP chief to surrender before the trial court within two months after its verdict reaches the trial court.

Complying with the HC order, Khaleda on November 30 last year surrendered to a Dhaka court and secured bail in the case.

Earlier on February 28 this year, the court deferred the hearing.