Dhaka, Sept 11: Bangladesh High Court has quashed a graft case against Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in connection with the purchase of two aircrafts for the national airlines during her 1991-96 tenure. In the case filed by the bureau of anti-corruption, during the Awami League rule, it was alleged that Khaleda, her cabinet colleagues and officials of Bangladesh Biman connived to purchase two airbus in violation of rules that caused a loss of taka 175 crore (USD 35 million) to the national exchequer.

Zia's lawyers had petitioned the court asking it to quash the case, which they termed as "politically motivated". The court threw out the case after hearing final arguments on the petition yesterday.

The attorney general's office did not oppose the petition nor it will appeal against the court verdict. The trial had started in 2000.

Bureau Report