Detained former premier Khaleda Zia has filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) for staying the hearing on charge framing in the Gatco case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice MA Matin yesterday fixed July 10 for hearing of the stay petition before the full bench of the court.
The case is pending in the special judge's court-3 set up at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex. The court, however, will hear on charge framing in the case on July 9.
The ACC filed the case against BNP chief Khaleda and 22 others on September 2, 2007 on charges of corruption in awarding Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) the contract for container management at inland container depots in Dhaka and Chittagong causing a loss of over Tk 1,000 crore to the state exchequer.
Later, the case was brought under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR).
Khaleda filed a writ with the HC on September 27, 2007 challenging legality of bringing the charge against her under EPR.
Following the writ, the HC on September 30, 2007 granted ad interim bail to Khaleda and stayed proceedings of the case issuing a rule upon ACC and the government to show cause as to why bringing of charge against her under EPR should not be declared illegal.
The ACC filed a leave to appeal petition with the SC against the HC order.
The SC on October 4 stayed the HC order and asked ACC to file regular appeal with the court against the HC ruling.
The SC on June 15 this year adjourned for one month the hearing of the ACC appeal against the HC order that granted bail to Khaleda in the case and stayed the case proceedings.
The court also asked both sides to take steps for hearing the HC rule in this case by this time. Barrister Rafique-ul Huq appeared for Khaleda yesterday.