The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The charge framing hearing against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a TK 3 crore extortion case will resume today after a 5-day adjournment.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge M Azizul Haque adjourned the charge framing hearing on December 3 when one of her lawyers sought for the deferment in order to help him go through the latest case documents.

In a related development, Sheikh Hasina's counsels are planning to move the High Court today to challenge the legitimacy of the Government action directing the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court to try her case at a different location at high security Parliament building complex, party sources said.

The Government said the Court was transfered to Parliament complex considering the security of Sheikh Hasina with the approval of the Supreme Court.

Azam J Chowdhury, Managing Director of the East Coast Private Trading Ltd filed the case on June 13 against Sheikh Hasina and her cousin former Health Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.

Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of the Awami League, was arrested on July 16 in connection with this case.

After investigation, police submitted charge sheet to the Court implicating Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of Sheikh Hasina, although her name was not mentioned in the FIR by complainant Azam Chowdhury. Sheikh Rehana is living in London.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed doubt about fair trial in the case.

She made the apprehension to two of her lawyers, who met her at the special jail on the premises of Parliament building.

Her counsel Advocate Shahara Khatun disclosed this after their meeting with Sheikh Hasina.

"Sheikh Hasina has expressed the doubt citing that Supreme Court has stayed her bail granted by the High Court following the Government's appeal," Advocate Shahara Khatun said.

Acting Awami League (AL) President Zillur Rahman yesterday demanded the release of his party chief Sheikh Hasina by December.

He also demanded the lifting of the state of emergency as the Government claims that a normal situation is prevailing in the country.

Zillur Rahman put forward the demands while addressing a meeting commemorating the death of former state minister for Post and Telecommunications and Dinajpur district AL President Abdur Rouf

Chowdhury at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium.

"Sheikh Hasina could stand by the cyclone victims and serve the distressed humanity if she is released," Zillur Rahman said.

"I would strongly urge the Government to lift the state of emergency, as it is not needed," he said.

He also recalled the contributions of late Rouf Chowdhury to all democratic movements of the country.

Former Speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate, party leaders Dr Hasan Mahmud and Advocate Nurul Islam Sujan, among others, addressed the meeting, which was presided over by former Whip Mizanur Rahman Manu.