The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A special court, set up in the high-security parliament complex to try high-profile corruption suspects, will today pass order on bail prayer for detained ex-Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina before charge hearing in another power-plant graft case against her.

On Feb 13, the charge hearing was deferred as Hasina, also Awami League president, could not appear in court on account of sickness in custody.

On Feb 7, the court once had deferred the charge hearing on the case on the prosecution plea of lack of their readiness.

On September 2 last year, Anti-Corruption Commission deputy director Sabbir Hasan lodged the case with Tejgaon Police Station.

It was complained in the case that Hasina and others, "through mutual understanding and using their influence", had helped a foreign company and its local partners win a deal for setting up the 100MW barge-mounted power plant in Khulna. And, thus, they "deprived" the lowest bidder of being awarded the deal.

She was also sued for extortion in connection with another power plant by businessman Azam J Chowdhury, but the trial proceedings under Emergency Powers Rules were scrapped by a High Court order.

The government has moved to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for appeal to overturn the HC rulings.