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Download PDF The cross-examination of the barge-mounted power plant graft case against former premier Sheikh Hasina and seven others continued yesterday with the defence asking the plaintiff whether he investigated the case being directed by the high-ups.
In response, SM Sabbir Hasan, also investigation officer and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) deputy director, only said, “No.”
The defence cross-examined Sabbir, the first prosecution witness, on investigation during over two-hour trial at the special court set up on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises from 10:00am.
The trial began at the court of Special Judge Firoz Alam on Wednesday.
The judge adjourned trial at 12:25pm and fixed May 25 (Sunday) morning for further proceedings after Hasina’s lawyers filed a petition seeking adjournment for the day.
Before adjournment the judge, however, reminded the defence that they will have to complete trial within the stipulated time.
The detained Awami League chief, Hasina, was taken to the court around 10:00am. Another accused, former power secretary Dr Toufique-e-Elahi Chowdhury was also hauled before the court.
The defence asked the plaintiff whether he knows anything about rewarding 10 ACC officials on June 28 last year. He replied he cannot recall anything like that.
In response to another question whether he would be rewarded if Hasina was punished, he said, “It’s not true.”
As the defence asked Sabbir whether he has filed the case following directives of a group of “identified conspirators” active to tarnish the image of Hasina, he denied, saying he filed the case as per procedures.
Asked why he did not mention the name of Hasina’s mother in the FIR, the plaintiff said it was not intentional.
When the defence asked him whether he or his father was a freedom fighter, the prosecution objected and said the Liberation War is a great matter and should not arise here.
The defence later told newspersons they raised the question as the plaintiff did not write “Bir Bikram” after the name of an accused despite the nation awarded him the gallantry award for his heroic role in the War of Liberation.
Advocate Syed Razanur Rahman mainly cross-examined the plaintiff when some other lawyers including advocates Yusuf Hossain Humayun and Shahara Khatun assisted him.
Asked whether Hasina told them anything, the lawyers said she had suggested her trial not be held under electric fan using electricity generated by the power plants, for installation of which she has been made accused.
They also said the plaintiff earlier on Wednesday told the court Hasina herself took the kickbacks from two companies, which were awarded contract for installing three barge-mounted power plants. But in the FIR (first information report) he mentioned Hasina did not receive the money directly.
They said the investigation of the case was not carried out lawfully as the investigation officer did it being “directed” by high-ups in ACC and from outside.
They also said the investigation officer did not question the then energy minister issuing a notice during the course of investigation.
The lawyers went on to say the case has been filed after over 10 years and it is clear that the case is “false and fabricated” and is filed as part of a “blueprint”.
Prosecution counsel Advocate Golam Kibria however told reporters a police station can record such a case anytime after it is brought to their cognisance.
The ACC filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on September 2, 2007.
According to the case details, the Power Development Board floated international tenders on October 24, 1996 for installation of three barge-mounted plants in Haripur, Shikalbaha and Khulna.
During Hasina’s tenure, Hasina and seven other accused through mutual understanding and use of influence helped Wartsila Power Development Ltd Consortium and its two local partners win a deal for setting up a barge-mounted 100MW power plant in Khulna depriving the lowest bidder. Summit Group and United Group are the local partners of Wartsila.
The case also mentions that a few days before and after the deal, the three companies paid a Tk 3 crore kickback, which was spent for buying a house with a piece of land in Dhanmondi for Bangabandhu Memorial Trust set up and controlled by Hasina.
Hasina was shown arrested in the case on September 19 last year, while former power secretary Toufique-e-Elahi surrendered to the court on January 16. Hasina was arrested at her Dhanmondi residence on July 16 last year.
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