The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Proceedings of the Trial Court in an extortion case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday abruptly adjourned till today following a row between the defence and prosecution lawyers in the courtroom.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge M Azizul Haque, who was presiding over the trial, suddenly left the ejlash (courtroom) quietly as the lawyers of both the sides continued to exchange hot words, which led to a virtual courtroom chaos.

After five minutes, the Court clerk announced that the hearing was adjourned till today.

The clamour ensued when the defence lawyers protested against the prosecution's objection to the previous statement made in the court by the complainant Azam J Chowdhury, who filed case against Sheikh Hasina and her co-accused alleging that they had forced him to pay Tk 3 crore extorion money in exchange of a power plant contract.

On his first day deposition, Azam J Chowdhury told the Court that he had filed FIR of the extortion case with Gulshan Police Station on June 10 last year. But yesterday he said that he filed the FIR on June 13, not June 10 last year.

This prompted defence lawyers to raise serious objection against Azam J Chowdhury's new information regarding the date of the filing of the FIR (first information report).

Judge M Azizul Haque recorded the statement of Azam J Chowdhury with objection raised by the defence.

Defence Counsel told the Court that the day was fixed for cross-examination of the complainant by them but the prosecution started reopening Azam J Chowdhury's deposition, which should not be permitted as per the trial procedure.

At this stage, exchange of hot words between defence and prosecution lawyers created a noisy scene in the courtroom.

The Judge did not agree with the defense plea that today was scheduled for cross-examination of Azam Chowdhury. "Go through my records. I wrote that it will continue," he said.

Opposing the Judge's claim, defence lawyers said, " If it is so, it has been recorded later under influence of the prosecution. But the Court reacted sharply saying ' No, no, no."

At one stage, when the Chief Special Public Prosecutor Sharfuddin Mukul again tried to record the further deposition of Azam J Chowdhury regarding his local agency of Russian power company a row broke out in the courtroom.

In a fit of anger Mukul told the Court that he was not going to contest the case further. The Judge left the ejlas (courtroom) quietly amidst hot exchanges between defence and prosecution lawyers.

Sheikh Hasina and her cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim were taken to the makeshift court on the premises of Parliament at 9:45AM, in connection with the case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury. Sheikh Hasina, however, remained calm and quiet during the row and did not say a word, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, the scheduled hearing on the Rule challenging the legality of bringing the extortion case against Sheikh Hasina under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) for trial did not take place yesterday as the Government side prayed for time.

According to the Court order, the Attorney-General's office was supposed to submit the official records yesterday that prompted the Government to give approval to bring the extortion case under the EPR for trial.

When the matter came up for hearing before the High Court bench comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Shahidul Islam, the Government sought time for countering the opinions of a panel of amici curiae appointed by the court.

The panel of amici curiae identically viewed that the trial of an offence, which had been committed before the promulgation of the Emergency Power Ordinance, 2007 cannot be held under the ambit of the Emergency Power Rules and, as such, it was illegal and done in violation of the Constitution.

Granting the Additional Attorney-General's prayer, the Court adjourned the hearing till this (Tuesday) morning.

Additional Attorneys-General Salahuddin Ahmed and Mansur Habib appeared for the Government while Barrister Rafique-ul Huq for Sheikh Hasina in the High Court.