DHAKA: A court here Tuesday deferred the charge-framing hearing against BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and his businessman friend Giasuddin Al Mamun in a money-laundering case.

Judge Ismail Hossain of Metropolitan session judge`s court set September 27 for the indictment hearing in response to a petition filed by lawyer of the duo-accused.

The petition was filed seeking more time as a writ petition had already been filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the case.

The HC had also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the money-laundering case against Tarique and Mamun ‘should not be declared illegal’.

On October 26 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the money-laundering case against the two with Dhaka Cantonment police station, accusing them of siphoning off Tk 20.41 crore to Singapore between 2003 and 2007.

After investigation, the ACC on July 6 this year submitted the charge sheet of the case to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court, Dhaka.

BDST: 1336HRS, AUG 10, 2010