Barapukuria graft case against Khaleda: Charge framing hearing adjourned for 37th time

A Dhaka court today adjourned -- till April 26 -- the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and six others in the Barapukuria coal mine graft case.

With today, defence have so far sought 37 dates for adjournment of the hearing on various grounds, according to the prosecution.

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Judge (in charge) Mohammad Nazrul Islam of the Special Judge's Court-2 of Dhaka passed the order after a petition was filed with the court on behalf of Khaleda Zia, seeking an adjournment of the charge framing hearing, Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder, one of her lawyers, told The Daily Star.

In the petition, Masud said Khaleda, who is now out of jail following an executive order of the government, is unwell and her appearance at the court was earlier exempted.

In her absence, Masud represented her in the court today.

In the petition, the lawyer also said he was yet to scrutinise some documents seized by the investigation officer during the investigation as those were not produced before it, Masud added.

During today's hearing, three other accused, including BNP leader Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, now on bail, were present in the court while two others, including Mozammel Hossain, were absent.

Another accused Md Sirajul Islam has been absconding since the case was filed against him.

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