Dhaka: A Dhaka court on Tuesday deferred the hearing until 7 June on the charge framing against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 others in the Niko graft case.

Judge Mohammed Aminul Islam of the Special Judge’s Court 9 passed the deferment order upon a petition filed by Khaleda’s lawyer Advocate Sanaullah Miah seeking time as his client would not be able to appear before the court due to illness.

Earlier on 17 February, the court fixed 12 April for the charge framing hearing in the graft case.

The High Court on 18 June last year rejected a petition filed by Khaleda challenging the legality of the case against her.

On 30 November, the Special Judge’s Court 9 granted conditional bail to the BNP chairperson in the case when she surrendered before it with a bail prayer.

The ACC on 9 December, 2007 filed the Niko graft case against Khaleda and 11 others in connection with a Tk 137.77 loss to the national exchequer caused by the signing of an oil-gas exploration agreement with Canadian company Niko during the BNP rule.

On 5 May, 2008, it submitted a charge sheet against 11 people.

Khaleda filed the petition with the HC challenging the legality of the case against her.

On 9 July, 2008, the High Court adjourned the case proceedings.