DHAKA: The indictment hearing in the Niko graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and others has been deferred to February 27.
 
Dhaka special judge-9 Amirul Islam on Monday passed the order in response to time petition filed by key accused Khaleda Zia’s lawyer.

The BNP chief, however, skipped appearance before the court in the graft case on health ground.

Her lawyer Advocate Sanaullah Mia also filed another petition seeking court order to postpone the indictment hearing.
 
On November 30, the same court granted bail to the BNP chairperson after she surrendered before it in the case.

Moreover, the court set December 28 as the date for framing charge in the case and asked Khaleda Zia to appear before it on that day.

On June 18, 2015, High Court cleared the way for trial proceedings to resume against Khaleda and others in the Niko graft case filed by the ACC in 2007.

On Dec 9, 2007, ACC filed the case against five people, including Khaleda, accusing them of causing loss of Tk 137.77 billion to the state exchequer by signing oil-gas exploration agreements with Niko.
 
Later on May 5, 2008, it submitted charges against 11 persons.
 
The High Court on July 9, 2008 stayed proceedings of the graft case and issued a ruling. The stay order was upheld by the Appellate Division.

BDST: 1116 HRS, DEC 28, 2015
RS/SMS