The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Even though six months have elapsed since the Gatco case was filed against Khaleda Zia, her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko and 11 others, submission of charge sheet in the case is unlikely before the Appellate Division's verdict on the extortion case against Sheikh Hasina.

The Commission takes its time in submitting the charge sheet as the Gatco case too has been brought under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR), according to sources. They said if the Appellate Division upholds the High Court verdict declaring Hasina case under the EPR illegal, the Commission would submit the charge sheet without using the EPR section. "Otherwise, the Commission is ready to submit the charge sheet in the case," said one source.

ACC chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Masshud Chowdhury, now in the Netherlands, told reporters Monday that the Commission is taking time in submitting the charge sheet in the Gatco case to see the Appellate Division verdict on the extortion case against Hasina. He also said despite the High Court verdict on an extortion case against former Prime Minister Hasina, the ACC was still using the EPR because of its lawyers' advice. The Appellate Division's decision in this regard would help the Commission take a decision in this regard, he added.

The Commission has been sitting on the investigation report of the case for about four months since investigating officer ACC deputy director Jahirul Huda submitted the report on November 1, 2007 recommending submission of charge sheet against 31 individuals, including 13 initially charged ones.