The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The detained two former Prime Ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia, were not produced in the CMM court yesterday in two Niko corruption cases involving deals with the foreign oil company.

Another petition was filed on behalf of Khaleda Zia for bringing her before the court, as the previous plea of her counsel went in vain.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Golam Rabbani fixed March 12 for IO report but didn't pass any order.

There was no prayer before the court on behalf of Sheikh Hasina, who has already been on a stalled trial in a different graft case.

It was stated before the court that for the last 158 days, Begum Zia has been passing her days in a sub-jail. "There has been no inquiry in any cases and no charge sheet filed either so far."

"It is against the law to confine anybody in continuous process without showing any specific allegation. Moreover, she has been suffering from various illnesses, without proper treatment," her counsel further submitted.

The two former rulers were arrested under the ongoing purge in the interim period against corruption, particularly in high places, during their times in power.