DHAKA: BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 other accused have been asked to appear before the court on July 24 over Barapukuria graft case.

Special Judge-9 Aminul Islam passed the order on Sunday (June 12) in response to the plea by the 11 accused for more time.

Former acting secretary of energy ministry Nazrul Islam and Petro Bangla former director Mainul Ahsan were present in the court and asked for additional time while other nine people including Khaleda Zia appealed through their advocates.

Advocate Salaullah Miah moved for the accused and advocate Mosharraf Hossain Kajol for the ACC.
 
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on February 26, 2008 accusing Khaleda Zia and 15 others of causing a loss of Tk 159-crore to the state exchequer by awarding a contract of operating Barapukuria coalmine to a Chinese company, abusing power.

In response to the petition filed by Khaleda Zia in 2008, the HC stayed the trial proceedings and granted her bail in the case.

The HC also issued a rule upon the ACC and the government to explain why the proceedings against Khaleda Zia should not scrapped.

The name of four other accused of the case have been cut off as two of them died and other two accused hanged for their involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

BDST: 1729 HRS, JUN 12, 2016
BD/RR