Khaleda's charge framing Feb 17

A Dhaka court yesterday adjourned till February 17 for hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 others in connection with the Niko graft case.

Judge Md Aminul Islam of the Special Judge Court-9 passed the order after Khaleda's lawyer, Sanaullah Miah, submitted a petition saying she would skip yesterday's hearing as she was physically ill.

Moreover, Khaleda had earlier filed a leave-to-appeal with the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the High Court order that stayed the trial proceedings of the case. The appeal is now pending.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed and six others, now on bail, were present at the court. BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman's business partner Giausuddin Al Mamun is in jail, while two others are absconding.

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