Proceedings of graft cases against detained former communications minister barrister Nazmul Huda, his wife Sigma Huda and ex-BNP lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi were adjourned.

Former BNP lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Nizam, arrested by the joint forces early Friday, was handed down a 30-day detention yesterday, reported our Chittagong correspondent.

MANJU CASE
Judge Syed Zahed Mansur of the Metropolitan Special Tribunal-9 will give the verdict in Manju's absence at 11.30am, court sources said.

The joint forces on March 8 raided Manju's Dhanmondi residence and seized 21 bottles of contraband liquor.

The prosecution prayed to the court for giving the accused highest punishment in accordance with the Narcotics Control Act.

Earlier, the court had recorded statements of seven prosecution witnesses including the complainant and the investigation officer (IO) of the case.

On June 3, the same court framed charges against Manju in his absence and issued arrest warrant against him.

Before the order, the court had asked Manju to appear before the court to defend himself but he failed to oblige the court order. So, the court had cancelled his bail.

On May 14, Dhanmondi police pressed charges against Manju in the case.

Sub-Inspector Amirul Islam, also the IO of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate showing 12 people as prosecution witnesses.

HUDA CASE
A special court adjourned the hearing of a graft case against former minister Huda and his wife Sigma Huda yesterday following a time petition by the defence lawyers.

Judge AK Roy of the Second Special Judge-- set up at shere-e-Bangla Nagar MP Hostel-- fixed Sunday for hearing on charge framing against them as the defence counsel prayed time for adjournment of the hearing.

In the petition, the lawyers mentioned that Sigma Huda could not appear before the court due to her illness.

After hearing both the sides, the court adjourned the hearing and asked the defence lawyers to bring Sigma on Sunday.

MAMUN CASE
One more prosecution witness of an arms case against Mamun yesterday gave statement at a Dhaka court. Earlier, 23 prosecution witnesses had given their statements.

Judge Mohammad Abul Bashar of the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court recorded the statement and fixed Thursday for next hearing.

LOBI CASE
A Dhaka court yesterday fixed Sunday for return of the arrest warrant issued earlier against Khushnud Asgar, wife of detained former BNP lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi, in connection with a graft case filed against Lobi in March.

Judge Azizul Haq of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order as the arrest warrant against Khushnud was not served on her and not returned.

Another Judge M Firoz Alam of the First Special Court, turning down the petition for time extension, fixed today for hearing on charge framing of a graft case against Swechhasebak League General Secretary Pankaj Kumar Devnath and his wife Monika Devnath.

Meanwhile, hearing of a graft case against Firoz Mian, a dismissed CBA leader of T&T, along with his wife Rawshan Ara Begum was deferred by a week following a petition by his counsel as he did not get the certified copies in connection with the case for preparation.

ERSHAD CASE
A Dhaka court yesterday adjourned the proceedings of two graft cases against former president and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad until July 8 following time petitions by the prosecution lawyers.

Judge Malik Abdullah Al Amin of the Special Court for Dhaka Division passed the order as the prosecution lawyers prayed for adjournment of the hearing of the cases due to non-production of witnesses.