Bangladesh News

Detained former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the popularity of this caretaker government has come down to “minus zero”.

“It was told earlier that the popularity of the government was at the peak, but now after reading newspapers it seems that its popularity has come down to zero. But I say the government’s popularity has slid down not at zero but at minus zero,” she told journalists after the trial proceedings in Niko graft case against her and 10 others at a special court.

Judge Khandaker Kamal Uz-zaman of Special Court-9 set up on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises rejected the defence plea for adjourning the case and amid heated row set June 26 the next date for hearing on charge framing in the case.

Khaleda was produced before the court at 10:20am amid tight security.

Criticising the trial in special court, Khaleda said the trial should be done in light of the constitution and under the existing laws, not the Emergency Power Rules.

“What is happening here will not ensure justice. A move is underway to punish [the accused] by conducting the trial hurriedly, which is unfair and unjust and also part of the conspiracy and corruption of the government,” she said.

Asked if she is worried about getting justice, Khaleda said, “Of course, I am worried. How can I get justice?…Is it possible to ensure justice under emergency?”

She questioned the neutrality of the government, alleging that it is being partial, which is a major drawback to free and fair election.

“Questions have been raised about the government’s neutrality as it is being partial. How will a free and fair election be held if the government is not neutral?” she said.

Regarding the ongoing dialogue, Khaleda questioned the government’s neutrality in sitting with all the parties. “Is the government sitting with all the political parties?…The government has lost its neutrality,” she said.

The former premier once again demanded that the caretaker government hand over power to elected representatives by holding the parliamentary election in October.

“Not in December, hold the election in October and hand over power to the elected representatives,” she said, also asking the government to lift the state of emergency by this month.

Replying to a question, she said the government has no authority to hold the local government elections.

“The government has no mandate to hold local body elections. National election will have to be held first. And prior to this, the emergency will have to be withdrawn for creating an atmosphere so that all political parties can participate in the election, otherwise the polls would not be acceptable,” she said.

“We have said several times that the election cannot be held keeping the emergency in place,” she said.

Khaleda demanded immediate treatment abroad of all detained ailing political leaders including her two sons.

“Not only my sons, all leaders who had received treatment abroad earlier should be allowed to receive treatment overseas,” she said, adding, “It is the duty of the government to ensure security of all citizens.”

Khaleda said, “The economic situation of the country has been deteriorating since the government came to power. Prices of essentials have skyrocketed and people are starving.”

COURT PROCEEDINGS
As the court resumed at 10:25am, Judge Khandaker Kamal Uz-zaman rejected the defence petition for adjournment of the Niko graft case.

Earlier on June 12, the court fixed yesterday for passing orders on whether trial in the case should be commenced since trial is already going on in a case against Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on similar charges.

The defence had argued that the trial against Khaleda and others should not begin before proceedings of the Niko graft case against Hasina end since both the cases involve the same story, seizure list and evidence.

Rejecting the defence petition, the court said the case in question is not a counter-case.

Although the offences are identical, the time, evidence and consequences are different in the two graft cases. So, there is no legal bar to proceeding with the case, the court added.

The defence told the court that they would move to the High Court against its order. They also filed a petition for adjourning the case for two weeks.

During yesterday’s proceedings, the court witnessed a heated row between the defence and the prosecution as prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol attempted to open the case for framing charges against the accused.

The two sides exchanged heated words for over 15 minutes. The judge repeatedly urged both the sides to calm down and maintain decorum of the court.

The defence said the prosecution started hearing on charge framing which they cannot do since the defence petition for adjournment of the case was not yet disposed.

The prosecution said the court should be informed of the subject matter of the case.

The court asked the defence to maintain the decorum of the court, saying they are creating impediments to the proceedings of the case.

At that time former law minister Moudud Ahmed, one of the accused, drew the court’s attention and said, “I want to know clearly if the court wants to hold the hearing on charge framing despite our objection.”

The judge assured the defence that there would not be any obstacle for the defence to seeking redress from the High Court against its order that rejected the defence plea.

As the court asked the prosecution to open the case at one stage, Khaleda’s counsel advocate Sanaullah Mia threatened to withdraw himself from the case if the court allowed the prosecution to carry on.

After about 30 minutes of excited exchanges, the court fixed June 26 as the next date of the trial.

Eight other accused including Moudud and former state minister AKM Mosharraf Hossain were also produced before the court yesterday.

On December 9 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station against Khaleda and 10 others for abusing power in awarding a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko.