Dhaka: A High Court judge on Wednesday felt embarrassed to hear a rule issued by the High Court against BNP leader Moudud Ahmed in Niko graft case.

The HC bench of Justice Mohammad Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim was scheduled to hear the rule today. However, Justice M Enayetur Rahim felt embarrassed to hear the rule, said Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan.

Khurshid Alam also said now the petition will be sent to Chief Justice SK Sinha who will form another bench for the hearing.

Earlier, on 11 December, 2016, a four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, upheld a High Court order that stayed the trial proceedings against Moudud Ahmed in the Niko graft case for eight weeks.

The apex court also asked the High Court bench led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim to dispose by 19 January next a High Court rule that asked the authorities to explain why the proceeding of this case will not be scrapped.

On 1 December, HC stayed the trial proceedings against the BNP leader in the case for eight weeks.

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

Later on 5 May, 2008, it submitted the chargesheet against 11 people.

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