The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday held back for five days the hearing of its rules on quashing petitions filed against Niko and Barge-mounted power-plant graft cases by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now abroad on parole for treatment of her eyes and ears.

A division bench comprising Justice Sheik Rezowan Ali and Justice M Rais Uddin, backing the argument by Hasina's counsel, deferred the hearing to October 19.

As the duo-rules came up for analogous hearing, Barrister Shafique Ahmed submitted that the hearing should not be held at this stage until the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition pending with the Appellate Division for vacating this court's previous orders of extension of stay on the trial proceedings of the two cases are disposed of.

"There is no scope for opening the hearing as the matter is subjudice," the counsel pleaded.

On September 27, the HC, following petition, extended the stay up to October 14 and set the same date for hearing on the rules.

On July 7, the High Court stayed for two months the proceedings of the Niko and the Barge-mounted power-plant graft cases following Hasina's separate quashing petitions.