Court to rule on May 18 if charges to be framed against Hasina

The Special Court-1 will rule on May 18 if graft charges would be framed against detained Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina and seven others in the barge-mounted power plant case.
Meanwhile, Hasina, also a former prime minister, yet again said she would participate in the national election and win it if it is held in a free and fair manner.
She made the comment to her lawyers after Judge Mohammad Firoz Alam of the Special Court-1 yesterday fixed the date for ruling on the charge framing hearing.
Earlier, the counsel for former energy secretary Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, an accused in the graft case, completed submissions on the discharge petition.
As the court sat at 9:30am, Tawfiq's lawyer resumed argument that began on May 6 after counsels for Hasina completed theirs.
At one stage, the judge criticised the lawyer for speaking on the points that the court had heard more than once. He asked him to come up with fresh points if he had.
The defence contended that his client Tawfiq had only carried out orders as a public official. He had not done anything beyond floating tender for setting up barge-mounted power plant.
Mahbubey Alam, Hasina's lawyer, argued over delay in filing the first information report. He said neither the FIR nor the charge sheet stated the reasons clearly.
The defence wrapped up their arguments at 4:00pm, and shortly afterwards, Kamrul Islam, another counsel for the AL chief, asked the court to fix the date for delivering order today (Tuesday). Angered, the judge replied, “You cannot dictate a court.”
Coming out of the court, the lawyers told journalists that they are positive that Hasina would be cleared as there is no evidence or proof against her.
They also described to the media the observations that the former premier made while talking to them yesterday.
Hasina sought to alert her party colleagues to, what she said, a conspiracy against rule of law.
“Awami League has a long experience in mass movement. The senior leaders will work out how the movement should be steered home,” Hasina said.
She then added, “I will take part in the election and win it if it's held freely and fairly.”
The lawyers representing her took seven sittings to complete their arguments on the discharge petition that began on April 3. Before that, the prosecution presented their points.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on September 2 last year.
The other accused are former Power Development Board (PDB) chairman Noor Uddin Mahmud Kamal, Managing Director of Summit Industries and Mercantile Corporation Private Ltd Aziz Khan, Director Farid Khan, United Group Chairman Hasan Mahmud Raja and Director Abul Kalam Azad.
The charge sheet submitted on January 10 included Bangabandhu Memorial Trust (BMT) Curator Siddiqur Rahman as one of the accused.