The Special Court dealing with the barge-mounted power plant graft case against detained former premier Sheikh Hasina and seven others yesterday adjourned the arraignment hearing until April 7 as Hasina's health condition deteriorated inside the courtroom.
When defence lawyers sought more time once again yesterday Judge Firoz Alam of Special Court-1 expressed annoyance at their wanting to have the chargeframing hearing rescheduled "continuously".
The proceeding had been adjourned seven times before the prosecution could complete its submission on March 9.
The judge rejected the defence prayer seeking more time after a one-and-half-hour long argument over the issue from 10:00am.
The defence lawyers submitted a discharge petition for Hasina, saying there are not enough "ingredients" in the documents submitted as evidence of her offences. But they could not complete the submission as the Awami League president fell ill in the dock around 11:45am.
The judge ordered the court adjourned.
The defence will make the rest of the submission on discharge petition when the court sits next on April 7.
Hasina looked calm and fragile when she was brought to court at 9:45am.The former prime minister made some remarks regarding the ongoing price spiralling and sufferings of the people.
"Only Allah knows how people are surviving a situation like this when prices of essentials have been the worst," said Hasina.
She said during her government's rule they produced surplus food--2.70 crore tonnes of rice
against a demand of 2.50 crore tonnes.
"The population has increased since then and the demand for rice now stands at around 3 crore tonnes but the government does not even bother to give the matter special importance," Hasina added.
On her health condition, she said she is suffering from glaucoma.
As soon as the court sat, the defence lawyers in a petition wanted to see the hospital discharge certificate for Hasina, saying they think there is some inconsistency between the discharge certificate and the doctors' opinion.
They argued that their client was discharged on request from the jail authorities although doctors wanted her to undergo more tests for her ear and eye troubles. They said the way their client was released from hospital is not in accordance with the order of the judge.
Judge Firoz said, "The accused was produced before the court without any report either from the jail authorities or the hospital. The judge has nothing to do with the hospital and what I need is to have the accused produced in front of me by the jail authorities."
The defence lawyers tried to talk about Hasina's health condition and her being prevented from contacting with relatives and lawyers. Hasina also sought permission to speak.
But the judge said, "The accused has been brought [to court) and I will not hear anything else." He asked the defence to begin its submission. -
The defence lawyers argued if the hearing is held with their client remaining in such physical condition, she would not be able to even hear the charges brought against her and say "I am guilty" as she is having problem in hearing in her left ear.
At one stage Hasina said, "If you do not want to listen to me as an accused, then where to go to demandjustice?"
She said, "Although 1 have been ill since December last year, they have not taken me to a doctor yet. I am also not allowed to meet my relatives and lawyers. Who I will turn to as an accused?"
Defence lawyer barrister Shafiq Ahmed then started his submission on the discharge petition. He said the first information report, charge sheet and other documents produced do not have any "ingredients" to charge her with offences like illegal gratification and criminalmisconduct.
He also said the case cannot be brought under the Emergency Power Rules.
During the submission Hasina was often seen sipping water as the courtroom was hot and overcrowded. She splashed water on her neck. At one stage, she attracted her lawyers' attention who informed the court that their client was not feeling well.