Indictment hearing in Khaleda’s Gatco graft case Apr 5

A court in Dhaka today fixed April 5 by deferring the hearing on charge framing in the Gatco graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and others. Acting judge Mohammad Nazrul Islam of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 set the date. Today was set for holding a hearing on charge framing in the case, but prime accused Begum Khaleda Zia failed to appear before the court on health ground, making her counsels plead for time.

On September 2 in 2007, The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against 13 people including Khaleda Zia with Tejgaon Police Station. The formal charge was submitted against 24 people on May 13, 2008. But, of the 24 accused, six including Arafat, Saifur Rahman and Matiur Rahman Nizami have died so far.

The case was filed against them for their role in corruption regarding penning a contract of Tk 14,56,37,616 with Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) for container management at inland container depots in Dhaka and Chattogram.