Moeen's power of attorney challenged

Former state minister for power Iqbal Hasan Tuku yesterday challenged a vokalatnama (power of attorney) submitted to a Dhaka court by a counsel of former army chief Moeen U Ahmed on August 5 in a Tk 100 crore defamation case.
During hearing, the prosecution appealed to the court saying the defendant did not properly appear before the court through his lawyers.
They told the court the signature of Moeen on the vokalatnama was not made duly, as he was abroad during filing of the case.
They raised the question how the defendant, who is still staying out of the country, could sign the vokalatnama. So, the signature of the vokalatnama should be rejected, the prosecution appealed to the court.
On the contrary, the defence told the court they would file written objection against the prosecution.
Judge SM Saiful Islam of the Court of Third Joint District Judge, Dhaka fixed October 20 for further hearing.
Tuku was present during yesterday's hearing and sought justice before the court.
On July 12, Tuku filed the Tk 100 crore defamation suit accusing the former general of making derogatory remarks that damaged his (Tuku's) reputation.
On a petition filed by Tuku, the court the same day asked Moeen to explain in three weeks why his property would not be attached.
On March 27, 2007 Gen Moeen said at a tea party at the National Parade Square that corrupt politicians had siphoned off at least Tk 20,000 crore from the energy sector during the four-party rule, reads the complaint.
The party was held in honour of the freedom fighters.