Court adjourns until June 5 the hearing against Khaleda Zia

A Dhaka court today adjourned until June 5 the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 15 others in Gatco graft case.

Judge Muhammad Ali Hussain of Special Judge Court-3 of Dhaka passed the order after a petition on behalf of Khaleda was submitted, seeking an adjournment of the hearing, Masud Ahmed Talukder, one of her lawyers, confirmed.

The judge also directed defence to submit a death certificate of accused Lutful Kabir during the next hearing as he died earlier.

With this, the judge adjourned the hearing for 39 times on different reasons.

In the petition, the lawyer said that they were yet to see some documents seized by the investigation officer during the investigation. So, hearing should be adjourned, the lawyer added.

Earlier, Khaleda's personal appearance was exempted and Masud Talukder represented her in her absence.

Eleven accused, including Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, now on bail, were present at the court.

Others accused were absent and their lawyers submitted time petitions for their non-appearance before the court today.

On September 2, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station against Khaleda and several others on charges of misappropriating around Tk 1,000 crore while dealing with Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Company Ltd (Gatco).

On May 13, 2008, the anti-graft body pressed charges against the former premier and 23 others.

Meanwhile, names of eight other accused, including Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, were dropped from the charge sheet following their deaths on different dates. The Daily Star