A Dhaka court on Sunday rejected a time petition filed by the defence in the money-laundering case against BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and his friend, businessman Giasuddin-Al-Mamun.
Defence counsel Masud Ahmed Talukder mentioned in the petition that three defense witnesses needed more time to appear before the court, as they were currently abroad for medical treatment.
The petition mentioned Babul Kazi, director of One Composite Mills Ltd, and Ershad Karim, director of One Denim Mills Ltd, were now in India, while Apex Group Chairman Harun-or-Rashid was in Singapore for treatment.
After hearing the plea, Dhaka Special Judge 3 Md Motaher Hosain rejected the time petition and set the next date for argument on November 7.
Earlier on October 31, the court recorded the deposition and cross- examination of five defense witnesses.
The court has so far heard 13 prosecution witnesses in the case.
According to case details, the ACC filed the case against Tarique and Mamun with Dhaka Cantonment police station on October 26, 2009, accusing the two men of “siphoning off Tk204.1m to Singapore” between 2003 and 2007.
The large sum of money was allegedly taken by Mamun as a bribe from Khadiza Islam, director of Nirman Construction Ltd, after he helped her get a contract for the installation of an 80MW power plant at Tongi.
On July 6, 2010, the ACC submitted the charge sheet of the case to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka after investigating the claims.
On August 8 last year, the court indicted Tarique and Mamun under the Money Laundering Act 2002 and issued an arrest warrant against Tarique.
Mamun allegedly deposited the money into the Capital Street Branch of Singapore’s City Bank.
