The High Court (HC) yesterday extended its earlier orders that directed the law enforcers not to harass or arrest Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in Niko and barge-mounted power plant corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Responding to separate prayers moved by the government and Hasina's counsels, an HC bench comprised of Justice Sheikh Rezowan Ali and Justice Md Rais Uddin extended the orders till disposal of its (HC) earlier rules that had asked the ACC and the government to explain why the proceedings of the cases should not be quashed.
The HC bench also adjourned for six weeks the hearing of the rules.
Meanwhile yesterday, special court for Dhaka division adjourned the proceedings of Mig-29 war- plane purchase corruption case against Sheikh Hasina and five others until July 10.
Judge of the special divisional court Golam Mortuza Majumder passed the order following a time petition filed by Hasina and two other accused seeking adjournment of the hearing, as the HC earlier stayed the proceedings of the case.
Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Khandaker Diluruzzaman yesterday submitted a prayer on behalf of the Attorney General (AG) to the HC bench seeking two months' time for hearing the rules, as the HC orders directing not to harass or arrest Sheikh Hasina in the cases against her expired yesterday.
Her counsels Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, Advocate AFM Mesbauddin and Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh also prayed to the court to extend its orders.
The HC on November 23 last year extended for the third time its earlier orders that directed the law enforces not to harass or arrest the Awami League president in the two cases and also adjourned until January 7 the hearing on its earlier rules.
Five cases were filed against Sheikh Hasina during the tenure of the immediate past caretaker government.
Among the five cases, three extortion cases were filed by businessmen- Azam J Chowdhury, Noor Ali and Tajul Islam Faruk and the rest two are Niko and Barge Mounted Power Plant corruption cases.
The government has decided to withdraw the Tk 3 crore extortion case filed by Azam J Chowdhury following his application to the home ministry for dropping charges against her. The HC earlier stayed the proceedings of this case.
The police have submitted final reports to the court exonerating Sheikh Hasina from the charges of the cases filed by Noor Ali and Tajul Islam Faruk.