Hasina exempted from court appearance

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A special court yesterday exempted Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina from appearing in person during the trial of Tk 2.99 crore extortion case filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

It however rejected former health minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim’s petition for bail.

Passing the orders, Judge M Ashraf Hossain of Special Court-5 set July 27 for resuming cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses and complainant.

Earlier on June 19, Hasina’s lawyers submitted a petition to the court for the exemption on health grounds.

The former prime minister has already been excused from the obligation to be in courts during proceedings of three other graft cases.

After the court sat at around 10:30am yesterday, defence lawyer Sahara Khatun stood for the AL chief who is now abroad for medical treatment.

Earlier, Sheikh Selim was produced there amid tight security. Citing the emergency power rules (EPR), the judge rejected his bail petition filed on June 19.

The prosecution did not oppose the defence’s plea for two weeks’ time before the next deposition.

In response, the court fixed July 27 for the next hearing.

Following the defence’s proposal, it also granted permission for five lawyers to represent Hasina during the trial. They are Sahara Khatun, Kamrul Islam, Fazle Nur Tapash, Fazilatunnesa Bappi and Sanjida Khanam.

On June 13 last year, Azam Chowdhury, managing director of East Coast Trading Pvt Ltd, filed the case with Gulshan Police Station against Hasina and her cousin Sheikh Selim.

After two days, the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court in Dhaka sent the case to the Special Court-5 for its quick disposal.

According to the case statement, the accused took Tk 2.99 crore from the plaintiff for awarding him the work of setting up a power plant.

Hasina’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, who lives in London, was included in the charge sheet and shown absconding.

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