The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday rejected former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's petition seeking stay on an extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Mashuque Hosain Ahmed however issued rule upon the government to explain in four weeks why the case should not be declared illegal. Awami League President Hasina filed the writ petition challenging the initiation and continuation of the Tk 3 crore extortion case, as the stipulated timeframe expired to file the case.

Hasina now in USA on parole for treatment was arrested in connection with this case on July 16 last year.

Her sister Sheikh Rehana living in London and her detained cousin and ex-Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim were also made co-accused in the case.

The case is now pending with a special court that deals with high profile corruption cases.