UNB, Dhaka :The full text of the High Court verdict rejecting a petition filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking quashing of trial proceedings in Barapukuria coalmine corruption case was published on Wednesday.An HC bench comprising Justice Md Nuruzzaman Noni and Justice Md Abdur Rob signed the copy of the verdict. Fixing June 12 for charge framing in the case, the bench said with rejection of the appeal, the trial will now continue at the Court of Dhaka-3 Special Judge Aminul Islam. Earlier on October last year, the HC cleared the way for the lower court to resume the trial proceedings against Khaleda Zia in the Barapukuria graft case.On September 17, 2015, the HC in an order rejected the petition.On August 30, the same bench concluded the final hearing on the petition after closing arguments in the trial of the case. On February 26, 2008, the ACC filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing Khaleda and 10 of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder, instead of the lowest one. Responding to a petition filed by Khaleda, the HC on October 16, 2008, stayed the case proceedings and issued a rule asking the ACC to explain why the case should not be quashed. The Appellate Division later upheld the stay order as well, leaving the corruption case in the cold.Khaleda, however, managed to secure a permanent bail in the case on January 15, 2012.Following a petition of the Anti Corruption Commission, the HC revived the case on March 2.On August 23, the HC turned down two petitions filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking all records of and the final report on Barapukuria coalmine graft case from the authorities concerned.
