The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court set January 10 for order on the Anti-Corruption Commission plea seeking leave to appeal against High Court judgment declaring illegal the ACC notice asking detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to submit her wealth statement.

A seven-member full hierarchy of the apex court headed by Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin, after hearing both sides Wednesday, fixed the date for order as to whether it would allow or dismiss the ACC petition.

On November 21, last year, the High Court, following a writ petition, had declared 'illegal' and 'without lawful authority' the ACC notice asking Hasina to submit her statement of wealth under the ongoing purge against corruption.

The High Court in its observation dismissed the ACC action as illegal as it did not conform to the rules prescribed under the ACC Act.

Before serving such a valid notice, it requires inquiry, investigation and material support against the allegation for satisfaction to the commission, but nothing has been followed, the HC judgment observed.

On July 17 last year, a day after her arrest in an extortion case, the ACC, through the jail authority, served notice on Hasina to submit her wealth statement as part of its initiative to find out whether there is any ground for filing graft case against her.

An aggrieved Hasina had filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of the ACC notice, and won the legal battle.

Attorney General Fida M Kamal, the top law officer of the government, appeared for the ACC while Barrister Rafique-ul Huq stood for Hasina, also president of Awami League.