Coco, his lawyers face forgery charges in HC

Row delays hearing of writ petition
The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule against the younger son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Arafat Rahman Coco, and his two lawyers– Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Advocate Taherul Islam Tawhid-to show cause within three weeks as to why a direction should not be given to investigate the forgery allegations brought against them by the government.
The court also asked them to explain as to why the chief metropolitan magistrate should not be directed to file a criminal case against them if the allegations are found true after the investigation into the matter.
The HC bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury passed the order following an application filed by the government alleging that Coco and his lawyers had submitted forged documents with a writ petition filed earlier with the HC challenging legality of the proceedings of a money laundering case against Coco filed by the ACC.
Passing the order the court also adjourned the hearing of Coco’s writ petition.
In its application the government alleged that Coco tendered “forged and manufactured” documents to the HC with his writ petition.
It was also mentioned in the government’s application that Coco who is now under treatment in Thailand on parole, authorised Taherul Islam Tawhid to file the writ petition. But the authorisation letter was authenticated by an unauthorised person in Dhaka, not by any official at the Bangladesh embassy in Thailand.
According to government application, lawmaker Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, who attested Coco’s signature as his lawyer, has no authority to do so as “Khokon was not present before Coco at the relevant time.”
After the HC order the Attorney General Advocate Mahbubey Alam told reporters that every lawyer should assist the judges by providing the correct information to the court.
“The writ petition of Coco was filed with the court by the fake letter of authority. It was a serious violation of the code of law,” he added.
Earlier, the government prayed to the HC to conduct an inquiry into the matter and direct the authorities concerned to file a complaint against the persons responsible. After the hearing of both sides the court issued the rule, the AG said.
Advocate TH Khan moved on behalf of Coco and others.

Courtesy of The Independent