Special Correspondent :
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Sunday told a court that jail authorities did not produce her for trial in Niko corruption case on February 20.
Speaking from a wheelchair during yesterday’s hearing on charge framing in the Niko case, she told the Judge that she was “ready to appear” on the day.
“I was not produced in the court though I was ready. It was said that I was unwilling to come to the court. It was not right,” she said.
On February 20, during indictment hearing, the jail authorities said Begum Khaleda Zia could not be produced as she “did not wake up from bed”.
During hearing, BNP Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed, an accused in the same case, said: “There is nothing in the case about me, neither document nor witness”.
“I gave my opinions when I was in the Ministry’s charge. Begum Khaleda Zia also signed in the contract paper as per rules. So, all the accused should be released from the case,” he said.
Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukder, a lawyer for Khaleda Zia, told the court that Khaleda Zia needed treatment as she was sick.
Meanwhile, ACC’s lawyer Public Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol said Khaleda Zia deserved treatment according to the jail code.
Later, Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the Special Judge Court-9 of Dhaka fixed March 19 for the next hearing on the charge framing in the case.
The case was filed by ACC on December 9, 2007 with Tejgaon Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia and 10 others for abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian firm Niko.
