Bangladesh News

The High Court (HC) yesterday granted adinterim bail to BNP leader and former health minister Dr Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and Awami Jubo League General Secretary and former lawmaker Mirza Azam in separate corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Responding to separate petitions filed by Khandker Mosharraf and Mirza Azam, an HC bench stayed the proceedings of the cases and issued rules upon the government to explain why the proceedings against them should not be quashed.

The HC bench was comprised of Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader and Justice Md Emdadul Haque Azad.

Mosharraf was granted bail in the Gatco corruption case while Mirza Azam obtained bail in the case filed against him for amassing illegal wealth.

The lawyers for the petitioners said that the HC granted bail to Khandker Mosharraf and Mirza Azam on ground that the investigation reports have not been submitted within the stipulated 60 days after filing of the cases.

KHANDKER MOSHARRAF
The ACC filed the Gatco corruption case against former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and 21 others on September 2 last year on charges of corruption in awarding Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) a contract.

The case is pending with the special judge’s court-3 at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex.

The court stayed the proceedings against Mosharraf for four months and issued the rule, which is returnable within four weeks following the petition.

A lawyer said that Khandker Mosharraf has been granted bail in four cases out of a total 12 cases against him and he is arrested in eight other cases. Barrister Abdur Razzak assisted by barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon appeared for Mosharraf.

MIRZA AZAM
The same HC bench following a bail petition stayed the proceedings against Mirza Azam for four months and issued the rule, which is returnable within two weeks in this petition.

ACC Deputy Director Mobara Khanam filed the case against Mirza Azam with Ramna Police Station on January 10 this year for amassing illegal wealth and giving false information to the commission.

Mirza Azam surrendered before the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court on July 16 for bail in the case, as per the HC order.

His counsel barrister M Amir Ul Islam yesterday moved the petition praying for bail to Mirza Azam in this case and quashment of the case.

Barrister Amir yesterday told The Daily Star that there is no legal bar to releasing Mirza Azam from jail following the HC order.

ACC counsel advocate Abdul Aziz Khan opposed the bail petitions.