The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the High Court order that had granted interim bail to detained former power and energy secretary Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury in the case of alleged corruption in the deal for Khulna barge-mounted power plant. A seven-member full court of the Appellate Division, in dealing with a government plea, passed the order vacating its earlier weeklong stay on operation of the HC order.

On Feb 3, a High Court division bench, upon a writ petition filed by Dr Towfiq challenging the government action in placing the corruption case for trial under the Emergency Power Rules, had granted interim bail to the petitioner.

The court had also issued a rule upon the government to explain why its action 'should not be declared illegal'.

On Jan 16, Dr Towfiq was sent to jail by an order of a magistrate court. He was denied bail after he surrendered to the court. The case, in which detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has also been made one of the accused, is now set for trial at the special judge's court set up at the parliament bhaban complex. The chare-hearing on the case will be held on Wednesday.