Niko graft case
Khaleda tells court she was ready to appear on Feb. 21
STAFF REPORTER, Dhaka
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, on entering the courtroom, told the court that she was ready to appear before the court on February 21, but the police did not produce her before the court. However, an allegation has been levelled against me that I had deliberately avoided appearance in the court, which was not right, she said.
Former prime minister Khaleda Zia made the observations before the Special Judge Court-9 during the hearing on framing of charges in the Niko graft case yesterday (Sunday). The police produced her before the court at 12.34pm and Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman conducted the trial proceedings till 1.48pm. When the police produced BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia before the court, the former premier told the court that she was ready at that time. Police did not produce her before the court. But an allegation has been levelled against me that I had willingly avoided the courts appearance, which was not right.
The court later adjourned till March 19 for the next hearing on the case. After that, the police took the BNP chief to jail.
BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sat in the courtroom while the BNP chief was inside during the trial proceedings. They held a discussion for some time inside the courtroom.
After coming out of the court, Mirza Fakhrul Islam told reporters that the BNP chairpersons health condition was serious. The health condition of the BNP chief is very serious. Doctors are yet to provide her proper treatment. Doctor has come to see her for one time. The health examinations are yet to take place. Blood test is yet to be completed. No step has been taken for her blood pressure, Fakhrul alleged.
Earlier, on February 20, the BNP chief did not appear before the Special Judge Court-9 for hearing on framing of charges in the Niko graft case.
The authorities of Dhaka Old Central Jail said she could not be produced before the court as she did not wake up from sleep, but Khaledas lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder said she skipped the hearing as she was feeling ill.
On February 12, a petition was filed with the court by one of Khaledas lawyers, seeking treatment for the BNP chief. However, the court has not decided on the matter yet.
The High Court (HC) on October 4 last year directed the government to immediately admit Khaleda Zia to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for treatment.
On December 9, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Tejgaon police station accusing Khaleda and 10 others for abusing power in awarding a gas exploration and extraction deal to the Canadian company Niko.
After entering the courtroom, Khaleda spoke to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir about her health.
Fakhrul alleged that though the Niko case is a bailable offence, the government has not granted her bail as it is politically motivated and has an ill motive.
When reporters asked the BNP secretary-general whether he had talked about political issues with Khaleda, Fakhrul said he did not make any conversation on any political topic with Khaleda. The police brought the BNP chief on a wheelchair before the court.
Public prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol went to Khaleda and enquired about the health of the BNP chief. Khaleda replied that she was not in a good condition. I am not good at all. My health condition is serious, Khaleda said.
