Hasina's trial resumes today
The trial of detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others in a Tk 2.99-crore extortion case resumes at a makeshift court today, several days after a legal wrangle over relocating the court to try a particular case.
On December 19, Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Azizul Haque fixed December 26 for resumption of hearing on charge framing in the case against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and their cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.
The judge set the date after the Supreme Court on December 13 cleared all barriers to the hearing of the case in the makeshift court.
The original venue of the court was in Old Dhaka, but the government shifted it to the Sangsad Bhaban area for "security reasons".
The trial court on December 12 stalled for three months the proceedings of the case following the High Court order.
Earlier on December 9, the High Court had stayed the trial proceedings of the case for three months following a writ petition filed by Hasina's lawyers challenging shifting of the court for trial of a particular case, and its operation at two places at a time.
Hasina was arrested on July 16 in connection with the case filed with Gulshan Police Station on June 13 by Azam J Chowdhury, managing director of a power company.
Her younger sister Sheikh Rahana, who lives in London, and detained cousin and former health minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim are the two other accused in the case.
Trial of the case began on December 3 at the makeshift Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court after the government in a gazette notification allowed it on "security ground".
On the first day of trial, defence lawyers challenged legality of the government order for the trial under special arrangements.
They decided to file the writ petition with the HC saying the government cannot issue such an order to a court when the judiciary is separated from the executive.
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