Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken initiatives to revive a corruption case filed involving barge-mounted power plants against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after its dismissal by a High Court bench more than a decade ago.
The ACC on Sunday filed a leave-to-appeal petition with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict seeking condonation of 5,452 days' delay in its filing.
Admitting the petition, the Appellate Division fixed July 15 for holding hearing on it. A three-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order.
Lawyer Asif Hassan who appeared in the court representing the ACC confirmed the update.
ACC Deputy Director Sabbir Hasan filed the case with the Tejgaon Police Station on September 2 in 2007 against Sheikh Hasina and six others over corruption allegations involving the berge mounted power plants.
An allegation was brought that special privileges were allowed for setting up three private berge mounted power plants in Shikalbaha, Haripur and Khulna in 1996-1997 sessions by taking a bribe of Tk 30 million in favour of the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.
Sheikh Hasina was the president of the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.
After investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on January 10 in 2008 and the special court-1 established at the National Parliament building started the formal trial process in the case.
Hasina on June 2 in 2008 filed a petition with the High Court seeking cancellation of the proceedings of the case. Then the court stayed the proceedings of the case and issued a rule over cancellation of it.
She came to power on January 6 in 2009 for the second time. The High Court bench on April 13, 2010 scrapped the proceedings of the case.
However, Hasina fled the country on August 5 in 2024, following an uprising.
Later the ACC on March 5 this year filed the leave to appeal petition challenging the High Court verdict seeking condonation of 5,452 days' delay in its filing.
The Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division on March 17 this year sent the matter to the regular Appellate Division bench and fixed May 18 for its hearing. Accordingly the matter came to the cause-list of the Appellate Division on Sunday.
bikashju@gmail.com