Barapukuria graft case: Charge framing hearing against Khaleda on Aug 8

A Dhaka court yesterday set August 8 for the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and six others in the Barapukuria coal mine corruption case.

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka's Special Judge's Court-2 passed the order after a petition was filed on behalf of Khaleda, seeking an adjournment of the hearing, Adv Masud Ahmed Talukder, one of her lawyers, told The Daily Star.

In the petition, Masud said Khaleda, who is now out of jail after an executive order from the government, is unwell and she was taking treatment at her Gulshan residence. So, the hearing should be adjourned, he said.

Moreover, they were yet to get some important documents seized by the investigating officer during the investigation of the case, he said.

On February 26, 2008, Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing 16 people, including Khaleda and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues, of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder.