Hearing in Khaleda's Niko graft case March 31

A Dhaka court has set March 31 as the date for the hearing of the Niko graft case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and some others.

Dhaka 9th Special Judge's Court Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman passed the order on Tuesday at the newly-built courtroom in front of the Keraniganj Central Jail.

The hearing was supposed to take place on February 4, but jail authorities could not produce Khaleda as she is currently undergoing treatment.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Tejgaon police station on December 9, 2007, for abusing power in signing a deal with Canadian company Niko for exploring and extracting gas.

The ACC on May 5, 2008, submitted the charge sheet against 11 people including the BNP chairperson.

Dhaka/Mamun/Mukul