Media barred from reporting proceedings

A High Court bench yesterday prohibited the media from carrying any report on the day's proceedings regarding the petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman for quashing the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case against them.
The vacation bench of Justice AFM Abdur Rahman and Justice Md Rezaul Hasan passed the order following arguments placed by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, lawyers present in the court said.
Reporters were not allowed inside the court yesterday and on the first day of hearing on Wednesday.
Deputy Attorney General of the HC bench Motahar Hossain Sazu confirmed the court order to the media.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told newsmen that the lawyers for Khaleda and Tarique took back the petitions from the bench to move those before another bench upon reopening of the court on October 4 after its annual vacation.
He refused to make any comment on why the HC bench prohibited reporting of the hearing and why the petitions were taken back from the bench.
While coming out of the court, Khaleda's principal counsel barrister Rafique-Ul Huq also refused to make any comment to the media.
Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon, who filed the petitions on behalf of Khaleda and Tarique, however told newsmen that they did not take back the petitions from the bench.
"The petitions are still pending with the bench of Justice AFM Abdur Rahman and Justice Md Rezaul Hasan. We will move the petitions after reopening of the court," he said.
Asked if they will move the petitions before the same bench, he said they would decide the matter later.
The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against Khaleda, Tarique and five others on July 3 last year with Ramna Police Station for embezzling over Tk 2.10 crore by forming the "fake" organisation Zia Orphanage Trust.
Two petitions were filed with the HC on Tuesday for quashing proceedings against Khaleda and Tarique in the case.
On Wednesday, the bench adjourned the hearing until yesterday after Rafique-Ul Huq placed his submissions.