Barapukuria scam: Verdict on Khaleda’s plea Sept 17

The High Court today fixed September 17 (Thursday) for delivering verdict on a petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of the trial proceedings of Barapukuria coalmine corruption case against her.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Abdur Rob fixed the date as the bench has earlier kept the petition waiting for verdict.

After holding hearing on arguments, the bench on August 30 said it will deliver verdict on the petition any day.

Earlier, the court has rejected some petitions of Khaleda clearing the way for the lower court to continue trial proceedings against her in Gatco, Niko, Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on February 26, 2008 accusing Khaleda and 15 others of causing a loss of Tk 159 crore to the state exchequer by awarding a contract of operating Barapukuria coalmine to a Chinese company, abusing power.

In response to the petition filed by Khaleda in 2008, the HC stayed the trial proceedings and granted her bail in the case.

The HC also issued a rule upon the ACC and the government to explain why the proceedings against Khaleda should not scrapped.