DHAKA: A Dhaka special court on Thursday (September 6) deferred to October 18 the hearing of forming charge in Gatco corruption case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Lawyers of two other accused--Tanvir Ahmed and Galib Hossain of the same case pleaded for adjourning the hearing as the High Court earlier issued stay order for the duo.

Responding the plea, Judge Abu Syed Diljar of Dhaka Special Court-3 installed at Alia Madrasha of Bakshibazar in Old Dhaka fixed October 18 for hearing on forming charge in the case.

On Thursday, lawyer Sanaullah Mia appeared before the court on behalf of Khaleda Zia.

On March 5 in 2016, the same court granted bail to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia after she appeared before the court.

On September 2, 2007, ACC filed the Gatco corruption case during the military-backed caretaker government against Khaleda Zia, and her youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko and 11 others.

According to the case documents, the defendants illegally awarded the contract of container handling at the Chittagong port and the Dhaka's Inland Container Depot to a certain firm Gatco, causing a loss of Tk 145.64 million to the state exchequer.

BDST: 1312 HRS, SEPT 6, 2018

SI