The New Nation - Internet Edition

Appellate Div overturns HC Judgement: Ajam Chy case revived: Hasina’s trial under EPR valid: Pre-1/11 offences can be tried under Emergency Rules

Supreme Court Building, Sheikh Hasina and Ajam J
Chowdhury

UNB, Dhaka

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that the trial of detained former premier and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) in an extortion case was valid, overturning the High Court judgment that cancelled the trial proceedings halfway through.

Following yesterday's Supreme Court verdict, any case of an offence committed before the promulgation of the state of emergency can be tried under the EPR.

The SC ruling particularly cleared the way for case proceedings against high-profile corruption suspects like politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen booked under the ongoing purge in the interim period.

A 7-member full hierarchy of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin, passed the inflexible order amid tight security in and around the court, allowing yet another government appeal against High Court verdict relating to trial under the emergency rules.

On February 6, the High Court, upon a writ petition filed by Hasina, had declared illegal the government sanction placing the extortion case against her for trial under the EPR and quashed the entire trial proceedings.

The apex-court ruling removed the bar on conducting trial proceedings against Hasina in the Azam Chowdhury-filed extortion case, which was scrapped by the High Court.

Businessman Azam J Chowdhury filed the case at a time when there has been a purge under way against former ruling politicians following the January 11, 2007 changeover amid a political crisis over the issues of general election that was later cancelled.

Earlier on April 23, the Supreme Court had struck down a High Court ruling empowering itself with jurisdiction to dispose of bail petitions in criminal cases being tried under the EPR.

The SC ruling had shut the doors on many VIPs in politics, business and bureaucracy who are seeking bail after being caught under the emergency rules.

Besides, On March 6, the Supreme Court in its another ruling had stripped the High Court of jurisdiction to grant bail to any convicted appellant tried under the EPR.

Additional Attorney-General Salah Uddin Ahmed stood for the government while Barrister Rafique-ul Huq and Ajmalul Hossain, QC, appeared for Hasina.

Managing Director of East Coast Trading Pvt. Ltd Azam J Chowdhury filed the case of extortion of over Tk 2.99 crore with Gulshan police station on June 13 last year against Sheikh Hasina and her cousin and former health minister Sheikh Selim, who is also in custody. Later, the case was placed under the EPR.

Within five weeks after the filing of the case, Hasina was arrested on July 16 in connection with this case. Since then, she has been detained in a makeshift jail in the high-security parliament complex.

Police, after investigation, submitted charge-sheet to the CMM court against Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, now living in the UK, and Sheikh Selim.

According to the allegations made in the case, the East Coast company got a work order to set up Siddhirganj Power Plant, but people of the then Prime Minister allegedly pressed the company for money and threatened to stop the work in case of non-compliance.

The complainant in his case alleged that he had paid the money by cheques on various dates as 'demanded by Sheikh Hasina'.

The scrapped case proceedings are now lying with the court of Dhaka metropolitan sessions judge.

US wants elected govt to govern Bangladesh next year: Boucher: Guarantees for stable democracy needed

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Central Asia Affairs Richard Boucher talking to newsmen
after holding a meeting with Foreign Secretary Towhid
Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. US
State Department Coordinator for Counte

UNB, Dhaka

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher Thursday said Washington wants to see the general elections completed by the end of this year to allow democratically elected government to govern Bangladesh next year. "We look forward to the statement of the caretaker government that will reassure the people that the process (of election) is underway with guarantee," he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain at the Foreign Ministry.

Boucher, who came here yesterday on a 2-day visit, said: "You are on the path of restoration of democracy and it is important for us to see the path completed by the end of this year to see a democratically elected government emerge and govern Bangladesh next year." He also said that the United States wants to see guarantees for democracy in a long term from the Election Commission, Human Rights Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and Civil Service Commission because the people of these institutions can guarantee stable democracy.

"We want to see the guarantees for democracy are put in place so that it continues on stable basis in a long time."

Boucher said that in addition to democracy and development, US wants to see denial of space

for terrorists in Bangladesh.

He called for the judicial and police actions to keep people safe from terrorism. He said stability of democracy could not be achieved without stability against violent extremists.

However, Boucher praised Bangladesh for its 'many successes' in combating terrorism.

He said Bangladesh and United States are together in many things around the world and assured US assistance to help Bangladesh in recovering phase of the cyclone Sidr and expansion of economic cooperation.

Boucher said he has come here at an important time -economically Bangladesh is facing difficulties - international crisis, crisis of food and energy, and domestically, the country is on the path of restoration of democracy which is very important to the United States. "We have a very broad agenda that speaks the desire of the people of Bangladesh. We want restoration of democracy and economic development that would lead to a peaceful society," he said.

Foreign Secretary Touhid said he had very fruitful discussion on various issues as both Bangladesh and the United States enjoy excellent relations and have intense cooperation in many fields. US Counter-terrorism Coordinator Dell Dailey was present in the meeting.

BNP (reformists) surprised at Saifur's remark

BNP Acting Chairperson Saifur Rahman at Zia
International Airport before his departure for Singapore for
treatment on Wednesday night.

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The pro-reformist faction of BNP led by Saifur-Hafiz faced a setback following the statement of party standing committee member M Saifur Rahman that he is no longer acting chairman of the party rather Begum Zia is the Chairperson of the BNP.

With the statement, the political honeymoon of the reformist faction thus appears to be over. The statement made the pro-reformist leaders, who were in a good mood following the court verdict and Election Commission invitation went in their favour, surprised.

Though they preferred not to make any comment on the statement of former finance minister, however, they expressed their grievances to the veteran leader.

Meanwhile, the leaders of pro-Khaleda faction of BNP welcomed the statement of Saifur Rahman that he made before leaving the capital for Singapore on Wednesday.

The leaders of the faction said the BNP could get united long ago if such statement was made earlier. They observed there would be no impediment in the way on reunification of the unity following the statement.

They hoped that the statement would help play a vital role to unite the party.

There are speculations in the minds of pro-reformist leaders as to they would come forward with which way.

Some senior reformist leaders yesterday communicated with acting secretary general of the pro-reformist faction Maj (Red) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who now on a visit to his constituency in Bhola over telephone to get the instructions.

Many of them went to former party secretary general and reformist leader Mannan Bhuiyan's Gulshan residence to discuss the development.

The matter was discussed at the policy making level of the faction but no decision was taken till last night.

However, some leaders of the faction hinted that Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman might be given the leadership of the faction in absence of Saifur Rahman.

Maj Hafiz told reporters that he was not aware about the statement of Saifur Rahman since neither he could read newspapers nor watch TV channels for last two days.

"Because of old age, Saifur Rahman might have said that he did not want to mean. Back to Dhaka, I shall express my formal reaction," he commented. Maj Hafiz is due to return Dhaka today.

Sources said the decision of much-talked-about October 29 last year meeting of the reformist faction, in fact, became ineffective following the statement of Saifur Rahman.

Leaders of the pro-Khaleda faction of BNP have been demanding for cancellation of the decision of the meeting that formed the reformist faction led by Saifur Rahman and Major Hafiz.

Secretary general of pro-Khaleda faction Khondoker Delwar Hossain did not prefer to make nay comment on the statement.

"Wait and see. More surprises are there. You will see soon. I do not want say anymore," he observed.

Outspoken leader Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah said he welcome Saifur Rahman for his open statement amid the party leaders and activists of his own constituency.

Owners turn loan defaulter: 8,000 taxi cabs off the road in capital

A Mobile Court jointly conducted by Communication
Ministry and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)
verifying the documents of a Taxi-Cab at the city's Progati
Sarani road to ensure fair fare. FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

The Taxicab operators yesterday said that 8000 taxicabs out of total 11,000 are now off the road in the capital due to absence of appropriate policy of the government, highhandedness of cab drivers and opposition to increase cab fare.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, the representatives of the Bangladesh Association of Tax Cab Operators (BATCO) said they are unable to repay the bank loan as nearly 70 percent of the taxicabs are now off the road.

It was addressed, among others, by Abdul Mannan Chowdhury Khasru,President, BATCO.

Khasru pointed out that as bulk of the tax cabs have gone off the road.

They are not in a position to clear bank loans, which are multiplying day by day. The companies are becoming loan defaulters after investing Tk 800 crore in cab operation, he noted.

He blamed a section of cab drivers for destroying the cab industry. Many of the drivers are involved in mugging passengers in collusion with criminals, realising excessive fare, damaging cabs through rash and careless driving and many other malpractices, he added.

He placed some proposals to the government to resolve the crisis facing the taxicab operators. The proposals include writing off the interests on bank loans, financial support to the companies to re-invest in this sector, formulation of an ordinance to punish the corrupt drivers and making this sector tax-free.

M Ezaz Mahamud, Secretary General of BATCO, Mostafizur Rahaman Dulal, Managing Director of Titas Cab Ltd, Mohammad Sharif Mia, Chairman of Badhan Cab Ltd and Mehadi Hasan, Manager of Jattri Cab Ltd also spoke at the press conference.

Exploitation of sea beach mineral urged

Staff Reporter

Proper exploitation of mineral resources at the Cox's Bazar sea beach and other points along the coastal belt will open up a new vista of rapid economic development of Bangladesh, according to researchers of BCSIR.

Researchers said that the world's longest sand beach is endowed with a vast reserve of titanium, zircon, rotail and monanjitis.

Titanium is mainly used as raw material for building aircraft. It has been found at 17 points at the coastal area of Cox's Bazar and khulna.

It is possible to lift 10 lakh tonnes of elmanite from the coastal belt.With this quantity of elmanite four lakh tonnes of titanium worth Tk 560 lakh crore can be produced, they mentioned.

They further said one kilogram of titanium is now sold at 19,500 US dollars to 22,000 dollars. Mexico, India, North America and Australia are the main buyers of this mineral.

The Institute of Mining Mineralogy and Metrology has chalked out a Tk 25 crore project to lift titanium from the sand on an experimental basis,said Md.Yunus Miah,project chairman.

The Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the project in June.

A seven-acre plot has been taken at Khonjonpur under sadar upazila in Joypurhat district for this project.

Titanium is used not only for building aircraft but also for brightening the colour of paints and lifting coal from the mine.It can fetch huge foreign currency after meeting the home demand, researchers said.

Exploitation of mineral resources will also generate employment opportunities in the field of research and other sectors, Md Yunus said.

10,000 babies born with thalassemia in country every year

BSS, Dhaka

About 15 million people in the country are carrying the gene of fatal disease thalassemia and about 10,000 babies take birth with this disease every year.

This was disclosed at a discussion meeting held in the city yesterday in observance of World Thalassemia Day-2008. Bangladesh Thalassemia Association and Medicine Club jointly organised the discussion meeting at the National Press Club.

Adviser of the Ministries for Primary and Mass Education, Women and Children Affairs, and Cultural Affairs, Rasheda K Chowdhury attended the function as the chief guest.

National Professor Dr MR Khan, National Press Club President Shaukat Mahmud, former state minister Syed Deedar Bakth, BSMMU Professor Dr MA Mannan and Thalassemia Association General Secretary Dr Syed Alauddin Ahmed, among others, took part in the discussion while Thalasemia Association President Omar Golam Rabbani was in the chair.

Departmental Head of Dhaka Medical College Pediatric Department Prof Dr Abid Hossain presented a keynote paper in the discussion meeting.

It was also disclosed the discussion that 240 million people across the globe are carriers of the genetic disease thalassemia, and 10 million babies are born with the disease in the world every year.

In her address, Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury stressed the need for prevention of thalassemia disease and said examination of blood is necessary for the brides and bridegrooms before marriage.

She said creation of awareness among the people against the disease is necessary. To this end, she called for campaigns across the country through print and electronic media.

Dr MR Khan underscored the need for conducting an extensive survey to determine the actual numbers of the patients and carriers of thalassemia disease in the country.

The speakers urged the government to introduce thalassemia units in all government hospitals at district and upazila levels.

They thanked the National Board of Revenue for waving duty and VAT on the export of medicines for thalassemia disease.

93 journalists killed in ’07

AFP, Vienna

Ninety-three journalists were killed in 2007, almost half of them in Iraq, the International Press Institute media watchdog said in its annual press freedom review published on Thursday.

The figure was the second highest in a decade after 2006, which saw 100 journalists' deaths, according to IPI figures.

Forty-two journalists died in Iraq during 2007, while Asia was the second deadliest region, with 19 reporters killed, mostly in Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, the IPI said in a statement.

It also noted "the first targeted assassination of a journalist since 1993" in the United States, with the killing of a newspaper editor in Oakland, California.

IPI Director David Dadge added that the murder by a Turkish nationalist of renowned journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul in January 2007 "reinforcest the bravery of journalists everywhere who challenge censorship."

Restrictions on press freedom were still widespread in Africa and the Middle East, the watchdog said, citing especially Iran and Zimbabwe, where hard-to-obtain licences are required to work as a journalist.

"Censorship (in Africa) came in all forms, from physical aggression to the subtle abuse of bureaucracy," it added.

The IPI noted that China still jailed the most journalists, with some 30 reporters and 50 bloggers currently in prison, while in Russia, "impunity exists for those who harass, assault or murder journalists."

GATCO reaches climax: Khaleda, Koko, Saifur, Mannan Bhuiyan, Nizami in chargesheet

Staff Reporter

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Thursday finally approved a charge sheet against detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, her son Arafat Rahman Koko and 22 others, including eight former ministers, in the Global Agro Trade (Private) Company Ltd (GATCO) corruption case.

The ACC Director General (Admin) Col Hanif Iqbal revealed this in the Commission's regular briefing yesterday afternoon, barely four days after the immediate-past PM was charge-sheeted in the Niko scam case.

The accused were responsible for costing the state coffers Tk 14.56 crore in losses, which was proved in the initial investigation, he said.

The eight ministers of the immediate-past Khaleda government who are going to be charge-sheeted are Saifur Rahman, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan,

Jamaat chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, MK Anwar, M Shamsul Islam, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and AKM Mosharaff Hossain.

These eight ministers and three others were not implicated in the first-information report (FIR).

The ACC Deputy Director Golam Shahriar Chowdhury filed the FIR with Tejgaon police station on September 2, 2007 against 13 persons, alleging that GATCO's contract to run the container depot at Chittagong Port was illegal.

The case record shows that a tender was floated on March 1, 2003 to appoint a contractor for the container depots at Chittagong Port and Kamalapur Rail station.

The accused awarded the tender to GATCO even though the company failed to meet all the conditions.

It was alleged in the case that the government incurred more than Tk 1,000 crore in losses because of the GATCO deal.

The case was brought under the emergency powers rules on Sept 17.

The three others going to be charge-sheeted along with the ministers are former Shipping secretary Julfiker Haider Chowdhury, former member of Chittagong Port Authority Rashid Uddin Ahmed and GATCO company Director Shajahan M Hasib.

The involvement of the additional 11 individuals was found during two-month-long investigations.

Khaleda's son Arafat Rahman Koko also stands accused of corruption in the case.

Khaleda was arrested on Sept 3 in connection with the case.

The 24 individuals along with initially accused 13 persons will be charged with violating tender terms in appointing GATCO, an indenting house, for container handling at Dhaka Inland Container Depot and the Chittagong Port ICD yard despite its lack of experience and skills.

During the long-running investigations, it was also found that Coco and Ismail Hossain Simon, another accused, made "illegal financial gains amounting to Tk 2.2 crore in return for giving the tender to GATCO.

The initially accused 13 persons are Khaleda, Coco, Zulfiqar Ali, AN Sarwar Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Ahmed Abul Kashem, Lutful Kabir, Ismail Hossain Saimon, Galib Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed, AKM Musa Kajol, Mrs Jahanara Akbar and Ehsan Yusuf.

Responding to a question, Hanif said in the briefing that along with other provisions, the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) 2007 would be used in submitting the charge sheet.

This will be the second charge sheet to be submitted against Khaleda.

A charge sheet was submitted against her along with 10 others on Monday in the Niko graft case.

Her elder son, BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman, was charge-sheeted the following day along with others in a Tk 21-crore bribery case.

The chargesheet in GATCO case, however, will be the first against Khaleda's younger son, Coco. Both her sons are now in jail.

The anti-graft watchdog took a long time in taking a decision to submit the charge-sheet in the much-talked-about GATCO case based on which Khaleda and Coco were arrested from their Cantonment residence on September 3 last year.

ACC Deputy Director Jahirul Huda, the investigating officer, actually submitted the investigation report of the case at the beginning of November.

For last few months, the Commission's version has been that it would wait until the Appellate Division verdict on the High Court's ruling declaring the use of Emergency Power Rules (EPR) illegal in an extortion case against another detained former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday overturned the High Court verdict.

The ACC did not waste time in deciding about submission of chargesheet using provision of the tough Emergency Power Rules (EPR).

Poll schedule in October: Political parties will get more time to get registered

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce the poll schedule in October after completion of all the preparations.

"The task of preparing the voter list is at the final stage. We do hope that we will be able to announce the poll schedule after completion of this task and taking all preparations by October," Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said this while talking to reporters at his office yesterday.

He said the election schedule should be announced by October if election is take place by December in accordance with the roadmap of the EC declared on July 15 last year.

The Election Commissioner said the Commission is planning to extend the time to get registered with the EC to contest the polls.

"The political parties will be given three months, and if necessary, four months--even up to the time before announcement of the election schedule--for the registration purpose," he said.

He said the Commission has to extend the time period up to September or October as three months were kept in the roadmap for the purpose.

"The matter of registering the political parties is related to finalisation of the electoral laws. The political parties should be given the time so that they can come to get registered after completing all the requisite tasks," he added.

Shakhawat Hossain said the political parties would get three months -April, May and June of 2008-- for registration after finalising the reform of electoral laws.

Replying to a question he said the draft of electoral laws would be sent to the Ministry of Law next Sunday and it would be readied within this month.

Asked whether the Commission would discuss the matter of resuming political activities over the country, as the parties need to run their offices at different levels to get registered with the EC, Sakhawat Hossain replied in the affirmative.

He, however, said that the Commission would discuss with the government so that all arrangements, which the parties need to conduct their activities to get registered, have been done.

"We will discuss with the government in this regard immediately after they get the final laws in hand," he said.

According to the draft of Political Party Registration Rules, the parties would have to submit the list of party committees of different tiers.

SCBA to boycott: CJ’s farewell on June 1

Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) denounced the apex court's ruling and reaffirmed its earlier decision not to give traditional farewell to incumbent Chief Justice Md. Ruhul Amin when he retires on June 1 and felicitation to new Chief Justice as a mark of silent protest.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, the principal counsel for the two detained former premiers-Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-likened the SC ruling to "pouring a handful of water for offering to human rights' coffin after the cremation is over."

"Through the ruling, the SC trampled down the rule of law, human rights and fundamental rights as well," he said, adding that he never thought of such "degradation" of the highest judiciary.

"I had a dormant thinking that this time the SC will wake up," he lamented.

Newly elected SCBA President Barrister Shafique Ahmed said the apex-court judgment ignored fundamental rights of the people guaranteed under the Constitution.

"The SC has validated the draconian law EPR which is inconsistent with the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed under the Constitution, the supreme law of the land."

He observed that the SC judgment proved that the dispensation of justice is not functioning in accordance with the rule of law and the Constitution.

The bar leader felt that the international image of Bangladesh would be called in question following the judgment.

Veteran lawyer and twice-elected ex-SCBA President TH Khan said the SC ruling disappointed the people of the country, which won' t bring any good for the country.

He said the hard reality is that the judiciary thrives on confidence of the people; it is very difficult to express in word what fate waits if people's confidence in the judiciary is shaken.

"I'm stupefied after hearing the SC ruling and also afraid how long decades would take to restore people's lost confidence in the judiciary," Khan said.

Former Law Minister Abdul Matin Khasru said the last resort of the people seeking justice before the Supreme Court became shattered.

SC verdict illegal: Zillur

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League leaders yesterday termed the Supreme Court verdict on Hasina's case illegal and ultre vires of the rule of law saying that the majority of the country's people have been disappointed with this judgment.

"This verdict by the Supreme Court is illegal and this has disappointed ustThe nation didn't expect such a judgement from the country's highest court," acting president Zillur Rahman said.

He was talking to leaders of Bangabandhu Krishijibi Parishad when they met him at his Gulshan house.

They donated Tk 66,000 to the Legal Fund constituted for the detained party chief.

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that the trial of detained AL chief Sheikh Hasina under the Emergency Power Rules in an extortion case was valid, overturning the High Court judgment that cancelled the trial proceedings halfway through.

Zillur said the Supreme Court is overturning all the High Court judgments and that is totally unexpected.

"The alleged offence took place at a time when the state of emergency was not imposed. Now the alleged offence committed prior to emergency has been placed for trial under the EPR is against the principles of the rule of law," he said.

The AL leader said the country is now passing through a very crucial time and only holding a free, fair and credible election can rid the nation of the crisis.

He reaffirmed that Awami League would not participate in the parliamentary elections without Hasina. "Holding a peaceful election in the country is not possible keeping Hasina behind the bar and without her presence AL won't accept any election."

Responding to a query about launching a movement for freeing Hasina, he said they would declare a tougher agitation when it would be necessary.

Speaking on the occasion, another party presidium member Suranjit Sengupta urged the government to lift the state of emergency.

He alleged that the rule of law is being violated in the country and demanded that the High Court should be given back its jurisdiction to grant bail to any convicted appellant.

AL leaders Abdur Razzak, Matia Chowdhury and Abdul Mannan and Bangabandhu Krishijibi Parisad leaders Dr Abdur Razzak, Shahidul Huq Chowdhury and Saidur Rahman Selim also spoke on the occasion.

BNP announces 5-day countrywide programme

UNB, Dhaka

BNP leaders yesterday demanded withdrawal of the Sabbir murder case against Tarique Zia terming it 'politically motivated'.

Meanwhile, the BNP has undertaken a 5-day countrywide political programme from May 11, demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia's release and withdrawal of the cases filed against her.

The programmes include submission of memorandums to the Chief Adviser to press for their demands.

"The charge sheet (against Tarique) doesn't carry any merit… It's motivated and has been done to undermine him politically," BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hussain told reporters at his Nam apartment yesterday afternoon.

He said the government was doing all this to destroy BNP politically.

About reformist BNP leader Saifur Rahman's statement that his leadership of BNP becomes ineffective following the standing-committee members' defection, BNP leader Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah said the statement would make the process unity easier and successful.

Hannan, also adviser to the BNP chairperson, was speaking with journalists at his Mohakhali residence. He welcomed Rahman's statement saying that it was delivered at a free atmosphere before the BNP leaders and activists of Sylhet.

"Earlier, he couldn't make the right statement for different reasons," he said adding that against the backdrop of Rahman's statement the dissidents of the party would come back to the mainstream shedding all previous differences and follow the party chairperson's instructions.

Meanwhile, the party leaders, as part of their 5-day political activities, would submit memorandums to the Chief Adviser through district commissioners and UNOs.

The memorandums will also contain the demand of release of all the political detainees, including Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman, lifting the state of emergency and resumption of political activities allover the country and announcement of date for the stalled 9th parliamentary elections.

The party also demanded cancellation of the decision of delimitating the electoral constituencies, tackling the price spiraling, resolving the electricity and water crises, ensuring enough supply of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides as well as providing subsidy to the concerned sector.

Besides, the BNP has chalked out a 7-day programme commemorating the death anniversary of party founder president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.

Niko graft case: Hearing against Hasina May 14

UNB, Dhaka

The record of the Niko graft case against detained former Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was sent to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's court yesterday for trial, following the submission of charge-sheet Wednesday.

Sessions Judge M Azizul Haque accepted the charge-sheet and issued warrant of arrest against the other accused who are absconding.

The court fixed May 14 for commencing the arraignment hearing against the high-profile graft suspects booked under the ongoing purge in the interim period.

The absconding accused are Mainul Hoque, Kashem Sharif, Dr AKM Mashiur Rahman,

Syed Anwarul Hoque, Dr SA Samad and Akmal Hossain.

Two other accused, apart from Hasina, are already in jail. They are former state minister for power and energy Prof Rafiqul Islam and ex-secretary Dr Towfique-e-Elahi Chowdhury.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the 8 others were accused of causing a loss of Tk 13,650 crore to the state in the charge-sheet of the Niko scam case submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission to the CMM court Wednesday. ACC deputy director Shabbir Hasan, who filed the case with Tejgaon thana on December 9 last year and also investigated the scam, submitted the charge-sheet.

The prosecution story says: 'During her tenure (1996-01) as prime minister, Sheikh Hasina in connivance with others entered into an uneven deal for exploration of gas with Canada-based company Niko. The deal was awarded illegally without tender, accruing personal benefits and thus inflicting a heavy loss on the state to the tune of Tk 13,650 crore.'