Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and Prof Dr Jyoti Prakash Dutt filed the cases on the first day of the three-day Janatar Adalat that began on the Central Shaheed Minar premises at 3:30pm. In the cases, they held the 11 people responsible for power crisis and spiralling prices of essentials.

In his case, Mohiuddin Chowdhury accused Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, former state minister for power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Power Ukil Abdus Sattar, Power Secretary ANM Akhter Hossain, Power Development Board (PDB) Chairman ANM Ridwan and Chittagong PDB Chief Engineer AHM Aminul Islam of creating the power crisis.

Former state minister for power Anwarul Kabir Talukder was made the scheduled witness in the case.

Dr Joyti Prakash Dutt, chairman of economics department of Premier University, filed the other case against Commerce Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Tarique Rahman, Giasuddin Al Mamun, owner of a private TV channel, the TCB chairman and the commerce secretary accusing them of price hike of essentials.

Prof Dutt alleged that a section of unscrupulous traders in connivance with the government high-ups pocketed over Tk 2.86 crore through forming a syndicate that raises the prices of essentials.

Prof Md Jahangir Chowdhury was the witness of the case.

Mohiuddin Chowdhury, also the president of Chittagong city Awami League, in his deposition alleged that the power sector was lying in a total mess, crippling the entire country.

The mayor said appointment of inefficient persons in the power sector on political considerations has led to the present debacle in the sector.

After the hearing, the court took both cases into cognisance and adjourned the hearing until 3:00pm today.

Chittagong Bar Association President Advocate Khairul Islam, former president Advocate Shafiqul Islam and former general secretary Advocate Anwar Kabir Chowdhury were on the panel of judges.

Thousands of people from all walks of life witnessed the entire proceedings of the Janatar Adalat.