A Dhaka special judge felt embarrassed yesterday to hear the arguments in the radar purchase corruption case against Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and four others.
The day was set for the recording of closing arguments at the court of Dhaka’s Divisional Special Judge Md Abdur Rashid.
But when the trial proceedings started around 2:35pm, the judge felt embarrassed and declined to hear the argument, public prosecutor Md Shahin Ahamed Khan told the Dhaka Tribune.
The judge said: “I feel embarrassed; I did not hear the arguments in the case [earlier]. The case will be sent back to the Dhaka’s District and Sessions Judge’s Court.”
Defence lawyer Sheikh Sirajul Islam said: “I do not know why the judge refused to hear the arguments.”
The closing arguments began on May 29 after the recording of the witness’ depositions.
Ershad, also the special envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, did not appear before the court. His counsel was present on his behalf.
Two other accused – former air force chiefs Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Sultan Mahmud and Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed – were present.
Assistant Superintendent of the then Anti-Corruption Bureau Md Ali Haider filed the case with Cantonment police station against five accused on April 4, 1992. The case says Ershad, in collusion with the four other accused, purchased radars for the air force and caused the state a loss of Tk64 crore.
