Hearing on govt appeal resumes

After a five-week adjournment, the hearing on a government appeal against the High Court judgment on detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in an extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury resumed yesterday at the Supreme Court.
Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, a counsel for Hasina, submitted his arguments that remained inconclusive.
However, the hearing resumes today.
On February 6, the High Court, upon a writ petition filed by Awami League President Hasina, had declared illegal the government sanction placing the case against her for trial under the EPR and quashed the entire trial proceedings.
On February 26, the Appellate Division upon an application granted the government leave-to-appeal against the HC rulings, and fixed March 16 for hearing.
It also stayed the operation of the HC judgment and stalled the trial of the extortion case against Hasina under the EPR until the appeal is resolved.
On March 18, the apex court adjourned the hearing for five weeks after arguments by the government side.