Bangladesh Supreme Court moved to stall Zia’s bail

By Xinhua

Dhaka : Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission Monday moved the Supreme Court to stall bail granted by the high court to former prime minister Khaleda Zia in a corruption case, private news agency UNB reported.


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The ACC petition also sought to overturn Sunday’s high court order that stayed the proceedings of the corruption case.

The ACC on Sep 2 filed a case with Tejgaon Police Station here alleging that Khaleda Zia while in office as prime minister (2001-2006) abused power and appointed Global Agro Trade Company (GATCO) as a contractor for handling containers both in capital Dhaka and southeastern Chittagong port on March 1, 2003, without following a proper bidding procedure.

GATCO, a private handling company, is blamed for inefficiency in handling containers. The shady recruitment of GATCO and subsequent problems arising from it cost the state coffers 10 billion taka (about $140 million).

The high court on Sunday granted bail to Zia and also stayed proceedings of the GATCO scam case. The court had also issued rule upon the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain why the case, placed under the Emergency Power Rule, should not be declared illegal.

The current caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed since taking office on Jan 12 launched a crusade against corruption.

About 200 political leaders, including two former prime ministers, former ministers and lawmakers were arrested on charges of corruption. Over one dozen of ex-ministers and lawmakers have already been sentenced to different terms by special courts.

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