Dhaka: Bangladesh's Supreme Court today cleared ways for detained former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's trial in a graft case under the tough Emergency Power Rules (EPR), overturning an earlier High Court verdict.

"The appeal is allowed," Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin said after a full court hearing on a government appeal in the Appellate Division of the apex court against the High Court verdict that declared Hasina's trial under EPR as illegal.

The EPR demands accomplishment of trial within a limited time-frame baring release on bail of the accused during the trial process. Instantly reacting to the verdict, Hasina's counsel Barrister Rafique-ul-Huq said the order "was a violation of both basic and constitutional rights of a citizen".

Additional attorney general Salahuddin Ahmed said: "The Appellate Division has granted the government appeal, which means the trial of the case will continue."

The apex court wrapped up the hearing into the appeal on April 29 in the case while it had granted the government permission for a formal appeal against the HC verdict on February 26.

Hasina's lawyers earlier challenged her trial under EPR saying the alleged crime occurred much ahead of the enactment of the EPR following the promulgation of state of emergency after the current interim government was installed with crucial military support on January 12, 2007.

Bangladeshi businessman Azam J Chowdhury had filed the case against Hasina, her expatriate younger sister Sheikh Rehana and their cousin and former minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim on June 13 last year accusing them of extorting approximately Taka 3 crore from him while her Awami League government was in power from 1996 to 2001.

Source : PTI