A Dhaka court on Wednesday (January 24) adjourned until February 15 the hearing on charge framing in the Gatco graft case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 14 others.

Judge Muhammad Ali Hussain of Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 re-fixed the date after holding a short hearing on charge framing.

On September 2 in 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against several people, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko with Tejgaon Police Station on charges of misappropriating huge money while dealing with Global Agro Trade (Pvt.) Company Ltd (GATCO).

Next day, Khaleda Zia and Koko were arrested. The case was included in the Emergency Powers Act on September 18 in the same year.

On May 13 in 2008, the anti-graft body pressed charge sheets against the BNP chief and 23 others, inflicting 11 in the case.

Later, the names of eleven accused, including Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, were dropped from the charge sheet following their deaths on different dates.

BDST: 1527 HRS, JAN 24, 2024
MN