Barapukuria corruption: Verdict on Khaleda’s plea Sept 17

The High Court fixed 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 bench of Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Abdur Rob fixed the date for the verdict on Tuesday. On Aug 30, the same bench finished hearing the matter and kept its order pending.

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 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.