Dhaka: The High Court on Sunday concluded the final hearing on a petition filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for quashing the proceedings of Barapukuria coalmine corruption case against her and kept the petition pending for verdict.

An HC bench comprising Justice Md Nuruzzaman Noni and Justice Md Abdur Rob completed hearing arguments from both sides in the case.

Khaleda’s lawyer Barrister Ragib Rouf said the court is likely to pass its verdict any day.

The ACC on 26 February 2008 filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing Khaleda and ten of her former cabinet colleagues of taking Tk 159 crore in kickbacks on the Barapukuria coalmine deal awarded to the highest bidder, instead of the lowest one.

Responding to a petition filed by Khaleda, the HC on 16 October 2008, stayed the case proceedings and issued a rule asking the ACC to explain why the case should not be quashed.

The Appellate Division later upheld the stay order as well, leaving the corruption case in the cold.

Khaleda, however, managed to secure a permanent bail in the case on 15 January 2012.

Following a petition of the Anti Corruption Commission, the High court revived the case on 2 March.

On 23 August, the High Court turned down two petitions filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking all records of and the final report on Barapukuria coalmine graft case from the authorities concerned.