B'desh court declines to accept writ for Hasina

DHAKA: Bangladesh High Court refused on Sunday to accept a petition seeking legal immunity for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.   

The petition intended to seek an order asking police not to arrest Hasina, who faces charges for murder and extortion, when she returns from London next week.   

"A High Court bench comprising judges S.A.N.M Mominur Rahman and M. Zubaidur Rahman Chowdhury, refused to accept the writ petition as it lacked an affidavit signed by Sheikh Hasina," a court registrar said.   

Bangladesh's army-backed interim government last week withdrew a ban on Hasina returning to the country from abroad.   

A court also suspended an arrest warrant last week issued for her alleged alleged involvement in deaths related to street violence between rival political parties in October.   

Hasina also faces a charge of extorting some $430,000 from a businessman in 1998. She has rejected both charges.