Judge Malik Abdullah Al Amin of the Special Court for Dhaka Division recorded the statements and fixed May 30 for next hearing date.

Ershad along with party leaders and activists were present at the court during the hearing.

The two witnesses are Saiful Bari, former chairman of National Broadcasting Authority (NBA), and Nawser Ali, former chief engineer of the NBA.

Earlier on March 27, another prosecution witness, Iqbal Ahmed Bhuiyan, an ex-assistant engineer of Bangladesh Television, gave his deposition.

According to the case, filed with Tejgaon Police Station in 1992, Ershad, while in power, allegedly directed the authorities concerned to purchase ENG (electronic news-gathering) equipment worth about Tk 2.93 crore to be used by him and his wife though all broadcasting facilities were available in his secretariat.

The same court also adjourned the proceedings of another graft case against the former president until May 30 following a time petition by the prosecution lawyers.

According to the case, filed with the same police station, it was alleged that Ershad, 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.