The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The trial court on Wednesday set July 13 to give its decision on a prayer for Sheikh Hasina seeking exemption from appearing in person in the court in an extortion case lodged by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

Judge M Ashraf Hossain fixed the new date after hearing the petition along with another prayer seeking bail for Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, detained in jail in the case.

On July 13, the court will also issue its order on Sheikh Selim's bail prayer.

Sheikh Selim was produced before the court from jail custody.

Earlier, the trial was stayed while the witnesses were testifying as the High Court halted the proceedings till disposal of a writ petition filed by Hasina.

The High Court ordered quashment of the case granting the prayer but the Appellate Division turned down the High Court verdict.

Later, in light of the Appellate Division order, the metropolitan sessions judge on June 15 referred the case to the special court to restart the trial.

Azam J Chowdhury lodged the case on July 16 last year alleging that he had paid about Taka three crore to Sheikh Hasina through her cousin Sheikh Selim as they threatened to cancel the work order for construction of a power plant when Awami League was in power during 1996-2001.

On that very day, Hasina was arrested from her residence while Sheikh Selim, a minister in her cabinet, was taken to custody earlier.

In the charge sheet submitted by police, Sheikh Rehana, Hasina's younger sister, was also made an accused following a confessional statement of Sheikh Selim. The case was later brought under coverage of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR).