Judge Malik Abdullah Al Amin of the Special Court for Dhaka Division recorded statement of the complainant Golam Mortuza, an official of now defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption, of the case and fixed June 18 for next hearing.

The proceeding of the case was stayed for a long time due to a High Court order though charges were framed on July 7, 1992.

Ershad and AKM Mosharaf Hossain, former chairman of Bangladesh Shilpa Bank, abusing power and through corruption,

directed the authorities concerned to remit Tk 35 lakh loan taken by M/S Three Star Poultry Farm Limited on September 4, 1979.

Later, a graft case was filed with Motijheel Police Station against Ershad, Mosharraf, Managing Director Jahangir Kabir, Directors Firoz Kabir and Borhan Uddin and Jahangir's wife Nurunnahar Shelly.

Of them, Jahangir and his wife Shelly are still at large while others are now on bail.

The investigation officer pressed charges against Ershad and five others on November 6, 1991.

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

THREE CASES

Proceedings of three other graft cases against Ershad were adjourned yesterday following time petitions by the prosecution lawyers.

According to a 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 case was adjourned till June 18.

The same court also adjourned the proceeding of another graft case until June 25 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.

The same court adjourned proceeding of a graft case against Ershad and three others until 25 following the same reason.

In the case filed with Cantonment Police Station on May 4, 1992, it was alleged that Ershad, while in power, directed the authorities concerned to purchase two high-power Radars (Radio Detection and Ranging) for Bangladesh Air Forces violating the recommendation of the radar evaluation team.

It caused a loss of Tk 64 crore to the government.