The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday filed a petition before the High Court to quash the charges brought against her in the Barapukuria Coalmine Graft Case.

The quashment petition was filed to the HC bench of comprising Justice Syed AB Mahmudul Haque and Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury.

The hearing on the petition is likely to be held today or tomorrow. Khaleda Zia's chief counsel Barrister Rafique-ul-Huq is expected to take part in the hearing, according to her lawyers.

Meanwhile, the trial court yesterday refixed October 16 as the next date for appearance in the Barapukuria coalmine graft case as its principal accused Khaleda Zia did not turn up yesterday on health grounds.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge Azizul Huq set the new date following the time petitions moved for Begum Zia, former minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami, who also refrained from appearing in the court on the same grounds.

Two other accused in the high-profile graft case former ministers MK Anwar and M Shamsul Islam appeared before the court in the morning.

Seven other accused, including Jamaat secretary general and former -minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, remained 'absconding'.

The report of arrest warrants against those bigwig accused submitted to the court said that the accused were not available in their respective residences.

The court ordered publishing notification through newspapers immediately subpoenaing them to surrender before the court by the time.

The court also ordered submitting report of the arrest warrant against another accused, former minister Barrister Aminul Haque of BNP, to the court on the next date.

The Anti Corruption Commission filed the case on February 26 this year with Shahbagh police station in the city on charge of taking kickbacks amounting to about Tk 159 crore in awarding the Barapukuria coalmine deal to the highest bidder instead of the lowest.

Begum Zia, and 10 former ministers and five others were charge-sheeted in the Barapukuria Coalmine graft case on October 5.