Judgement in tax graft case against Ershad today

Judgement in the income tax corruption case against former president HM Ershad will be given today.

Judge Rezaul Karim Khan at the Special Court for Dhaka Division will deliver the verdict at 11:00am, court sources said.

The judgement of the case was adjourned twice following time petitions by the defence lawyers.

The Bureau of Anti-corruption (Bac) filed the corruption case accusing Ershad and three tax officials on July 27, 1992.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) gave Bac a nod to press charges against Ershad and three tax officials on November 30,1992, but on the same day it decided to exempt the taxmen from the case.

In the case filed with Ramna Police Station, it was alleged that Ershad, while in power, paid Tk 7,43,416 as income tax for six years (1983-1989). Later, he withdrew Tk 2,76,324 without submitting any documents in favour of his action.

The investigation officer in the case submitted the charge sheet stating Ershad as the lone accused on December 19, 1992. The names of three others were dropped from the charge sheet and they were shown as prosecution witnesses.

The court framed charges against Ershad on June 17, 1993 and recorded statements of three prosecution witnesses during the trial.