Indictment hearing against Khaleda deferred

A Dhaka court yesterday deferred to April 12 for hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 others in the Niko corruption case.  Khaleda could not appear before the court due to her physical illness.

Three accused, including former acting energy secretary Khandaker Shahidul Islam and Giausuddin Al Mamun, were present in the court while four others, including former law minister Moudud Ahmed, remained absent.

The Anti Corruption Commission filed the case in December 2007, accusing Khaleda and several others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko when she was the prime minister between 2001 and 2006.