Koko sent to jail before remand ends

Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, sits in a prison van with a hand on his chest as he is being taken to jail from CMM Court in Dhaka yesterday.Photo: STAR

Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia, was sent to jail yesterday before completion of his seven-day remand in a graft case.
Meanwhile, Zubaida Khan Rahman, wife of Tarique Rahman, yesterday met her detained mother-in-law Khaleda at the sub-jail in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex.
Koko was taken to the court under tight security and was produced before the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka at 1:50pm after being kept in custody only for three days, reports our court correspondent.
He was put on the seven-day remand on Monday after his arrest for interrogation in the graft case against a prayer for a ten-day remand.
In the forwarding report, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Zahirul Huda, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, mentioned that there is a necessity to verify the information obtained from Koko. If necessary, he might be remanded again for quizzing in future subject to the development of the investigation.
So, he should be confined to jail, the IO added.
The defence lawyers submitted three petitions, first for granting bail, second for providing Koko with first class division in jail and the third for his treatment.
Moving the petitions, the lawyers argued that Koko was brought to the court before completion of his remand due to his illness.
He should be provided with first class division in jail, as he is the son of a former prime minister and his elder brother detained Tarique Rahman was given division as per direction of the High Court (HC), his counsels added.
After hearing both sides, Metropolitan Magistrate Muhammad Saleh Uddin directed the jail authorities to take necessary steps for providing Koko with division in jail under section 910 of the Jail Code and arranging his treatment if necessary.
On September 2, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a graft case against Khaleda, Koko and 11 others with Tejgaon Police Station.
They have been charged with breaching tender conditions in appointing Global Agro Trade (Private) Company Ltd (GATCO), an indenting house, for container handling at the Dhaka Inland Container Depot (ICD) and the restricted area at the Chittagong Port ICD yard despite its lack of experience and skills.
Following the case, the joint forces arrested Khaleda and Koko from their Cantonment residence in the early hours of Monday and they were taken to the court the same day.
ZUBAIDA MEETS KHALEDA
Khaleda Zia's daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida yesterday met her at the sub-jail. During the 35-minute talk with her, Khaleda enquired about her two detained sons and her granddaughters, sources said.
She asked all to keep patience, the sources added.
"Both daughters-in-law of Khaleda Zia went to visit her but the jail authorities allowed only Dr Zubaida to meet Khaleda," family sources of Khaleda alleged.
Zubaida entered the sub-jail at about 4:55pm and came out at around 5:30pm.
"It's a routine and general visit," DIG (prison) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui briefed the reporters at the sub-jail gate.
"Female jail police were present during the meeting between Khaleda Zia and her daughter-in-law," he added.
Wife of Tarique brought dry foods for her mother-in-law, sources said.
KOKO IS WELL: DIG PRISON
DIG (prison) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui yesterday said that the physical condition of Koko is not serious.
"He felt pain in the chest, but it was not serious," he told reporters at the sub-jail gate.
They will take necessary steps if Koko's condition worsens, he added.
"His (Koko) blood pressure was 115/75 yesterday," the DIG (prison) said.
He also said that Khaleda Zia was informed about the physical condition of his son.