SC rejects govt appeals against HC stay orders
The Supreme Court yesterday rejected the government appeals against the High Court (HC) orders extending its stay orders on proceedings of the Niko and barge-mounted power plant cases against Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.
Following a prayer moved by Attorney General (AG) Salauddin Ahmed, a four-member full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin passed the order.
The Attorney General told the court that they would not proceed with the appeals since the rules regarding these cases remained pending with the HC and hearing of the rules would be held at the HC on October 19.
Meanwhile, a petition was filed yesterday on behalf of Hasina with the HC for time extension of the HC orders that had directed the government not to harass or arrest her at home or abroad till October 20 in the same cases.
Hasina's counsel barrister Shafique Ahmed yesterday told newsmen that hearing of the prayer might be held on Thursday (today).
On October 5 a HC bench, upon two bail petitions filed by Hasina, directed the government not to harass or arrest the AL president in these cases.
Hasina, also former prime minister, is now overseas for treatment. She was released on June 11 on an executive order.
Earlier on July 7, the HC stayed for two months the proceedings of Niko and barge-mounted power plant corruption cases filed by the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) against Hasina.
The HC also issued separate rules asking the ACC and the government to explain why the proceedings against Hasina should not be quashed.
On an application on August 27, the HC extended for three months the stay orders and fixed October 14 for hearing of the rules.
The government then filed two appeals with the SC against the HC's extension orders. On October 14, an HC bench comprising Justice Sheikh Rezowan Ali and Justice Md Rais Uddin deferred the hearing of the rules till October 19, since the appeals were pending with the SC.
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