Uncertainty looms over Niko graft case against Hasina

Dhaka, Jun 25 (UNI) The hearing into the Niko graft case against Bangladesh former Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina has apparently become uncertain as the High Court called for the trial court records for judicial scrutiny.

The special court set up at the parliament building complex that deals with the case has sent its records to the High Court.

As the trial court resumed today, Justice AK Roy informed both defence and prosecution lawyers that he had complied with the June 19 High Court order after receiving it officially.

The High Court during a hearing into a petition filed by Sheikh Hasina seeking quashing of the Niko case had called for trial court records by June 30 to examine whether the case had been filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with due process of law.

The special court, however, fixed July 7 as the next date for arraignment hearing subject to the High Court decision on the pending quashment petition.

Hasina, dispensed with personal attendance during trial proceedings, was represented by Advocate Sahara Khatun.

According to the case, Hasina in collusion with other accused awarded gas extraction work at Chhatak, Kamta and Feni gas fields to Niko Resources Ltd, a Canadian company, to gain personal financial benefit that caused a loss of 13,630.50 crore taka to the state coffers.

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