A Dhaka Court yesterday directed jail authorities to produce BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia before it on March 13 for hearing on the charge framing in connection with Barapukuria coalmine graft case.

Judge ASM Ruhul Imran of Special Judge's Court-2 of Dhaka passed the order, following a petition submitted by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol.

Eight other accused in the case have been asked to appear before the court on March 13 for the hearing, said Advocate Ziauddin Zia, a lawyer for Khaleda.

Meanwhile yesterday, ACC lawyer Kajol also submitted a copy of the HC order that vacated the stay on trial proceedings against Barrister Aminul Haque, an accused in the case.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam also rejected another petition filed by Barrister Aminul seeking cancellation of the proceedings against him and directed the lower court concerned to finish the trial proceedings within six months.

“Following the HC order, there is no bar on the court to continue the proceedings against the accused,” said ACC lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajol.

Five accused in the case including former minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain were present while Barrister Aminul and four others remained absent.

On February 2008, ACC filed the case against 16 people including Khaleda and ten of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder. ACC pressed charges against them on October 5, 2008.