Proceedings of Gatco graft case against Khaleda to continue

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DHAKA, Aug 21, 2017 (BSS) – The apex court today paved way for continuing proceedings of Gatco graft case against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as it dismissed a leave to appeal plea filed by her against the High Court order that rejected her petition to quash the case.

“Dismissed,” said a four-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha.

Earlier on August 5, 2015, the High Court dismissed two petitions, including one seeking stay on the trial proceedings, submitted by the BNP chief.

“Today the High Court rejected dismissed petitions of Khaleda Zia and disposed of a ruling it had passed earlier in this regard. The court has removed all the lagal bars to continue proceedings of the case,” Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) counsel Khurshid Alam Khan told on that day.

The ACC filed the case against 13 people, including Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman on September 2, 2007, with Tejgaon Police Station for their role in corruption regarding penning a contract with Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) for container management at inland container depots in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Formal charge was submitted against 24 on May 13, 2008.

The BNP chairperson later filed two writ petitions with the High Court challenging the legality of bringing the case under emergency power rules and sought stay on the proceedings of the case in the trial court.

The High Court on July 15, 2008, stayed the trial proceedings of the case and issued separate rulings in this regard.

The case is now pending before Dhaka Special Judges Court-3 in charge framing stage.