DHAKA: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court adjourned till January 11 the hearing on a petition filed by the state seeking a stay on the High Court verdict that declared the BAPEX-Niko joint venture deal illegal.

An Appellate bench of five justices headed by Acting Chief Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah fixed the date for hearing.

Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud moved for Niko at the courtroom.

The same hearing was earlier adjourned in two occasions.

On August 24, the High Court declared all the deals between Canadian company Niko and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX). Besides, all the wealth under possession of the two deals was also directed to be seized. 
 
The verdict also said that Niko won’t be given any payment until it paid compensation for the explosion at Chhatak Gas field in Sylhet.

Lawyer Barrister Moin Ghani moved for BAPEX and Petrobangla at the International Arbritration Court for the Niko case. “The deals of BAPEX and Petrobangla with Niko in 2003 and 2006 weren’t made in righteous manner, rather corrupted”, Moin said. 

A plea was filed with the court to seize all the properties under Niko’s possession in Bangladesh, as compensation for 2005 Chhatok explosion. 

Later, the HC issued a rule regarding this on May 9, 2016. 

Afterwards, the HC declared all the deals between Niko and BAPEX illegal, on August 24 this year.

BDST: 1115 HRS, DEC 7, 2017
SI