Bribery case

HC allows hearing against Tarique, 3 others

The High Court (HC) yesterday cleared the way for the trial court to continue with the hearing against BNP vice-chairman Tarique Rahman and three others in a bribery case.
The three other accused are former home minister Lutfozzaman Babar, Bashundhara Group director Abu Sufian, and businessman Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal alias Econo Kamal.
After the final hearing, the HC bench, comprising Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Mahmudul Hoque, rejected four separate petitions challenging the trial against Tarique.
In its order, the HC said, “The earlier order of the High Court, which stayed the proceedings against the accused petitioners, has been vacated. But the petitioners will continue to be on bail in the case.”

The HC, however, added that the trial court could cancel the bail if the accused misused it.
Barrister Raghib Rauf Chowdhury, one of the counsels for the petitioners, told reporters that Tarique Rahman is now in London for treatment, Babar is now in jail, and Sufian and Econo Kamal are out on bail.
The chain of incidents started with the alleged murder of Humayun Kabir Sabbir, 30, a director of Bashundhara Telecommunications Ltd. He was found dead in Gulshan on July 5, 2005.
On October 4, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case at Ramna Police Station against six persons, alleging that Tk. 21 crore had changed hands so that one of Bashundhara Group chairman Shah Alam’s sons would not be implicated in the murder case that was filed in 2006.
Tarique Rahman’s name was not included in the FIR, but his involvement was found during the investigation. The ACC found out that Tk. 14 crore had been transacted through cheques and Tk. 7 crore in cash.
The ACC submitted a charge-sheet against eight persons on April 23, 2008. A special trial court framed charges against them on July 14 of the same year.
In 2008, Tarique and three others filed petitions in the HC, challenging the legality of the case and framing of the charges. After primary hearing, the HC stayed the case proceedings and issued a rule.
After the final hearing on the rule, the HC on February 16 fixed March 16 for delivering the verdict on the petitions.
Barristers Mahabub Uddin Khokan and H M Sanzid Siddique stood for Tarique Rahman, while Khurshid Alam Khan argued for
the ACC.

Bribery case

HC allows hearing against Tarique, 3 others

The High Court (HC) yesterday cleared the way for the trial court to continue with the hearing against BNP vice-chairman Tarique Rahman and three others in a bribery case. The three other accused are former home minister Lutfozzaman Babar, Bashundhara Group director Abu Sufian, and businessman Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal alias Econo Kamal. After the final hearing, the HC bench, comprising Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Mahmudul Hoque, rejected four separate petitions challenging the trial against Tarique. In its order, the HC said, The earlier order of the High Court, which stayed the proceedings against the accused petitioners, has been vacated. But the petitioners will continue to be on bail in the case. The HC, however, added that the trial court could cancel the bail if the accused misused it. Barrister Raghib Rauf Chowdhury, one of the counsels for the petitioners, told reporters that Tarique Rahman is now in London for treatment, Babar is now in jail, and Sufian and Econo Kamal are out on bail. The chain of incidents started with the alleged murder of Humayun Kabir Sabbir, 30, a director of Bashundhara Telecommunications Ltd. He was found dead in Gulshan on July 5, 2005. On October 4, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case at Ramna Police Station against six persons, alleging that Tk. 21 crore had changed hands so that one of Bashundhara Group chairman Shah Alams sons would not be implicated in the murder case that was filed in 2006. Tarique Rahmans name was not included in the FIR, but his involvement was found during the investigation. The ACC found out that Tk. 14 crore had been transacted through cheques and Tk. 7 crore in cash. The ACC submitted a charge-sheet against eight persons on April 23, 2008. A special trial court framed charges against them on July 14 of the same year. In 2008, Tarique and three others filed petitions in the HC, challenging the legality of the case and framing of the charges. After primary hearing, the HC stayed the case proceedings and issued a rule. After the final hearing on the rule, the HC on February 16 fixed March 16 for delivering the verdict on the petitions. Barristers Mahabub Uddin Khokan and H M Sanzid Siddique stood for Tarique Rahman, while Khurshid Alam Khan argued for the ACC.