The High
Court on Monday asked Arafat Rahman Koko, son of opposition leader Khaleda Zia,
and his lawyers to explain the forgery allegations against them after the
government accused them last week of filing a petition with the court through
fake power of attorney.
Koko's petition to the High
Court, filed on Aug 2, challenges a money laundering case against him filed by
the Anticorruption Commission in March this year.
The government filed a counter
petition with the court three days later, on Aug 5, accusing Koko and his
lawyers of producing a fake power of attorney in filing the petition.
The government sought permission
to file criminal cases against those who were involved with adopting illegal
means in filing Koko's petition.
The bench of justices Syed Refat
Ahmed and Moinul Islam Chowdhury on Monday asked Koko, his two lawyers, power of
attorney Taherul Islam Touhid and barrister Mahbubuddin Khokan to explain
within three weeks why forgery charges should not be investigated.
The court also stayed the hearing
on Koko's petition.