The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday stayed the proceedings of four separate graft cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, including one against detained former minister and BNP leader Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

Upon separate petitions, the High Court stayed the proceedings for four months of the cases against Dr Mosharraf, Taimur Alam Khandaker, another detained BNP leader, Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu's wife Salma Rahman and Barisal City Corporation Mayor Mujibur Rahman Sarwar's wife Syeda Nasima Sarwar.

The same bench also stayed the proceedings of an extortion case against former state minister Aman Ullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman. The court also issued rule asking the government to explain why the case "should not be quashed". All the petitions were heard before a division bench comprising Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader and Emdadul Haque Azad.

Passing the orders of stay in the four ACC-filed cases, the bench also issued separate rules asking the anti-graft watchdog to explain why the cases "should not be quashed".

In cases of Salma and Nasima, the rules are returnable in eight weeks while in case of Dr Mosharraf and Taimur, the rules are returnable in four weeks.

ACC filed the case against Dr Mosharraf for acquiring illegal wealth and concealment of information and Salma and Nasima were implicated in the cases filed against their husbands for assisting them in amassing illegal wealth and covering up the assets.

The case against BNP leader and former Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) chairman Taimur was filed for alleged corruption in distributing 200 CNG-run auto rickshaws.

Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for the petitioners.