A Dhaka court has fixed January 3 for hearing on charge framing against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and others in the Niko graft case.
Dhaka Special Judge Court- 9 Judge Mahmudul Hasan on Wednesday fixed the date after Khaleda's lawyer filed a petition seeking adjournment of the hearing, reports UNB.
Khaleda Zia was brought to the court premises in a wheelchair during the hearing.
Khaleda Zia said the trial in the case should not continue inside the Old Central Jail as it lacks adequate air and light.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is running fast like a train with the national election while made them (she and her party leaders and activists) busy in different cases.
She also sought fixation of the hearing date after election.
Earlier on November 7, the Law Ministry issued a gazette notification saying that the trial of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and others accused in the Niko corruption case will be eld at the makeshift court in Old Dhaka central jail.
The ministry issued the gazette notification transferring the court citing security reasons.
On October 6, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to the BSMMU after prison authorities shifted her there from jail for better treatment in response to a court order.
On October 4, the High Court directed the government to immediately admit Khaleda Zia to the BSMMU and form a 5-member medical board afresh for her treatment.
Khaleda Zia was in the erstwhile Dhaka Central Jail at Nazimuddin Road since she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8 last.
The ACC on December 9, 2007 filed the Niko graft case against Khaleda and four others in connection with a Tk 137.77 loss to the national exchequer caused by the signing of an oil-gas exploration agreement with Canadian company Niko during BNP regime.
