Gatco graft case: Indictment hearing set for June 6

A Dhaka court has fixed June 6 to hold hearing on charge framing in Gatco graft case against BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and 14 others.

Judge Ali Hossain of Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 Sheikh Nazmul Alam pronounced the order on Sunday.

The court allowed a time plea of the defence, said Advocate Joynul Abedin Mejbah who appeared in the court for prime accused Begum Khaleda Zia.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft case against 13 people, including Khaleda and her younger son Arafat Rahman on September 2, 2007, with Tejgaon Police Station.

The case was lodged for their role in corruption regarding penning a contract with Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Co Ltd (Gatco) for container management at inland container depots in Dhaka and Chattogram.

On May 13 in 2008, formal charge was submitted against 24. Out of the 24 accused, eight including Arafat, Saifur Rahman, MK Anwer, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Ahmed Abdul Kashem have died so far.