Judge Malik Abdullah Al Amin of the Special Court for Dhaka Division set the date after the prosecution filed a time petition saying that they could not produce any prosecution witnesses before the court yesterday.

However, Ershad was present in the court and his lawyers were ready for hearing.

Meanwhile, court sources said the prosecution could not produce witnesses except one since the charges were framed on April 3, 1995 and on April 18, 2003.

In the first case filed with Tejgaon Police Station, it was alleged that Ershad, while in power, directed the authorities concerned to purchase electronic news-gathering equipment worth about Tk 2.93 crore to be used by Ershad and his wife though all broadcasting facilities were available in his secretariat.

The former president also directed the authorities to create eight new posts for the purpose, the prosecution said.

An official of the now defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption (Bac) filed the case against Ershad on February 29, 1992 and the investigation officer (IO) pressed charges against him on September 15, 1994.

In the second case field with the same police station, it was alleged that the former president, defying the authorities' decision, directed to accept donation from France instead of Finland for setting up 'microwave telephone lines' in 49 upazilas.

Due to Ershad's unilateral decision, the government had to pay Tk 28 crore to France in interest, as the plan was not implemented finally, sources said.

A Bac official Upendra Chandra Das filed the case against Ershad and two others in this connection on September 5, 1992. The IO pressed charges against Ershad and six others on July 31, 1995.

Earlier, Ershad was discharged and acquitted of four graft cases in August and September last year following his announcement to join the four-party alliance.

Another Dhaka court on January 17 this year freed Ershad from serving out the sentence given by the High Court on December 14 last year in connection with a Japanese boat purchase case.