Fazlur Rahman Patal, former state minister for youth and sports, surrendered to a Dhaka court and sought bail in a tax evasion case yesterday.

Judge ANM Bashir Ullah of the Senior Special Judge's Court fixed March 28 for hearing on the bail petition.

Fazlur would be at liberty till that date, the court said.

Moving the bail petition, Fazlur's lawyers said their client had surrendered before the High Court on March 8 and sought anticipatory bail in the case.

The HC, without granting bail, directed Fazlur to surrender before the trial court within eight weeks.

In the meantime, the law enforcement agencies were directed not to harass or arrest the petitioner. Moreover, the trial court shall consider his prayer for bail if he surrenders before it, the HC said.

Showing respect towards the HC order, their client had surrendered before the court and sought bail in the case, lawyers added.

The same court on March 1 issued an arrest warrant against Fazlur after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) filed the case on charges of evading Tk 7.50 lakh income tax on his income of Tk 26.10 lakh in 2005-2006 fiscal year.

In the case statement, NBR Deputy Tax Commissioner Mizanur Rahman said Fazlur provided false information about his real income and expenditure, even though he was an influential minister.

On May 28 of 2007, the joint forces arrested Fazlur, also a BNP leader, on charge of disrupting public safety, destabilising the country, indulging in subversive activities and corruption. He was given 30 days' detention for committing such offences.

He was later sued for acquiring wealth through illegal means and concealing it in his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Abdullah Abu and additional PP appeared for the state while advocates Sanaullah Miah and Masud Ahmed Talukder for the accused.