SC rejects Khaleda’s petition over Niko case

The Supreme Court has rejected the leave-to-appeal petition filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the HC verdict that cancelled stay on the trial proceedings in the Niko corruption case filed against her.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order on Thursday.

The SC started the hearing on the petition on November 20 and fixed today (November 24) for delivering its order.

Following the order, now there is no legal bar to continue the trial proceedings in the Niko corruption case against her.

On June 18, 2015, the High Court cleared the way for trial proceedings to resume in the case against Khaleda rejecting her petition eight years ago that had challenged the legality of the case.

The ACC on December 9, 2007 filed the Niko graft case against Khaleda and four others in connection with a Tk 137.77 loss to the national exchequer caused with the signing of an oil-gas exploration agreement with Niko during the previous BNP rule.

Later on May 5, 2008, it submitted a chargesheet against 11 people.

Khaleda filed a petition with the HC challenging the legality of the case against her.

On July 9, 2008, the High Court adjourned the proceedings of the case.

With UNB inputs