ACC chief alleges obstruction to Khaleda trials

Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Iqbal Mahmood has alleged obstruction of case proceedings in a clear reference to the lawyers of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

He raised the allegation after the hearing of Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases on Thursday.

He told the media that the ACC lawyers and officials had spoken to him about the matter earlier, but he had not paid any heed.

"Our lawyer and director general told me that the defence seeks unnecessary extensions in some cases. The situation gets so bad that it becomes difficult for them to conduct the case," Iqbal said, without mentioning any case.

"This is unfortunate. We didn't expect such a situation," he added.

The ACC chairman said he was 'shocked' after hearing that the commission's lawyer faced 'muscle-flexing' earlier in the day.

He said proceedings of 'some' cases were getting longer due to 'silly' reasons cited by the defence.

"Our witnesses, investigators go to court and sit idle. No deposition takes place," he said.

Asked what cases he was referring to, the ACC chief said, "I won't go into the specifics It's your (journalists') job to find out where it is happening."

The hearing of the Zia Trusts graft cases on July 24 witnessed a rowdy scene when the lawyers got engaged in a heated argument.

At one stage, the argument became so boisterous that the judge of the Fifth Special Judge's Court of Dhaka ordered the arrest of defence counsel AM Mahbubuddin Khokan but later withdrew it.

Started in 2008 and 2010, the cases are yet to be disposed of. Former prime minister Khaleda sought a number of deferment and had the judge changed on several occasions.