Court Correspondent :
The Special Judge Court-2 of Dhaka yesterday adjourned the hearing of Barapukuria Coalmine Graft case until May 2 as BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was not produced before the court on Tuesday due to her illness.
Senior Jail Superintendent Iqbal Kabir informed the court, Khaleda Zia is undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) of the capital.
Iqbal Kabir, on Monday asked the BSMMU authorities whether Khaleda would be produced before the court on Tuesday, but BSMMU Additional Director Nazmul Karim replied in the negative.
As the BNP Chief was not produced, Judge ASM Ruhul Imran of the court adjourned the hearing on charge framing in the case filed against Khaleda Zia and eight others.
Another accused Barrister Aminul Haque, is now on life-support in the United Hospital. Seven others, who are now out of jail on bail, were present at the makeshift court set up at Alia Madrasa of Bakshibazar.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol told the court that the jail authorities wrote on the custody warrant placed before the court saying Khaleda Zia was sick and she was admitted to BSMMU hospital for treatment. The court on February 26 directed the jail authorities to produce the former Prime Minister before it on March 13 for hearing on charge framing. The judge passed the order following a petition submitted by ACC public prosecutor. Earlier, on October 5 of 2008, the ACC submitted chargesheet against Khaleda Zia and 15 others in the Barapukuria Coalmine Graft case. Seven persons including former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman were dropped from chargesheet after their death.
On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station accusing 16 persons including Khaleda Zia and ten of her former Cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria Coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder.
