DHAKA: The hearing of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s ‘leave to appeal’ on Niko case will be held on July 31.

The Court of Appellate Division’s Vacation Chamber Judge Hasan Foez Siddique fixed the date on Sunday (July 10).

Senior lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali and Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury moved on behalf of Khaleda Zia.

On November 30, a court in Dhaka granted bail to Khaleda Zia as she surrendered before it in Niko graft case following the HC order.

The court also set December 28 as the date for framing charge in the case and asked the BNP chief to appear before it on that day.

On June 18, the HC rejected a petition filed by Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of Niko graft case, clearing the way for continuing the trial proceedings.

On April 22, the HC started a hearing on a seven-year-old writ petition challenging the legality of Niko corruption case filed against Khaleda Zia.

On December 9, 2007, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against five people, including Khaleda, accusing them of causing loss of Tk 13,777-crore to the state exchequer by signing oil-gas exploration agreements with Niko.

Later on May 5, 2008, it submitted charges against 11 persons.
 
The HC on July 9, 2008 stayed proceedings of the graft case and issued a ruling. The stay order was upheld by the Appellate Division.

BDST: 1641 HRS, JUL 10, 2016
BD/RR/SMS