A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against detained businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun and his brother former BNP lawmaker Hafiz Ibrahim in two separate arms cases.

Another special court started trial of a graft case against former state minister for civil aviation and tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin and his son Mir Mohammad Helaluddin.

HARRIS CASE
Judge Mohammad Ashraf Hossain of the Fifth Special Court-- set up at the MP Hostel in the capital-- yesterday heard arguments of the prosecution and set today for delivery of verdict.

The prosecution said they are able to prove the allegations against the accused and prayed highest punishment for Harris.

Earlier, the prosecution produced five witnesses before the court. They are Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director (DD) Abu Sayeed, ACC Field Officer Khandaker Akhteruzzaman, caretaker of Harris' neighbour's house, Abdul Hakim, Harris's cousin Fakruddin Chowdhury and caretaker of Harris' another neighbour's house, Alfazuddin.

On April 30, Judge Momin Ullah of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court framed charges against Harris in his absence.

The ACC DD filed the case on April 5 for not submitting wealth statement to the commission within the stipulated time.

In response, the court issued an arrest warrant and ordered the authorities concerned to send its copy to the police station concerned.

On February 18, the ACC asked Harris to submit his wealth statement within 72 hours, but neither Harris nor any of his representatives complied with the instructions.

MAMUN ARMS CASE
Judge Mohammad Azizul Haq of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court yesterday framed charges against Giasuddin Al Mamun, close friend of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, in a case filed for possessing illegal firearms and ammunition.

Mamun pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after the charges were read out to him.

Earlier on April 26, Cantonment police submitted the charge sheet against Mamun to the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka showing 12 people as prosecution witnesses.

Officer-in-Charge of Cantonment Police Station Shahrum Khan, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, pressed charges against Mamun, who was arrested from his Banani DOHS residence on March 26.

Police seized a .22 bore Spanish pistol and eight bullets from his house.

Later, an arms case was filed against Mamun and he was placed on a four-day remand.

HAFIZ IBRAHIM CASE
The same court yesterday framed charges against detained former BNP lawmaker Hafiz in a case filed for possessing illegal firearms.

Hafiz demanded justice and pleaded not guilty when the court read out the charges to him.

Gulshan police pressed charges against Hafiz on March 18.

The joint forces seized a sword and a knife from his Gulshan residence on February 27.

NASIR CASE
A special court yesterday recorded statement of Abdullah Al Zahid, complainant of a graft case filed against detained former state minister Mir Nasir and his son, Mir Helal.

After recording the statement, Judge AK Roy of the Second Special Court fixed today for next hearing of the case.

ACC DDs Sharmin Ferdousi and Abdullah Al Zahid, also the IOs of the case, submitted the charge sheet of the case filed with Gulshan Police Station on March 6.

According to the charge sheet, the two accused accumulated assets worth over Tk 24.39 crore illegally.

Helal also transferred Tk 2.83 crore from different bank accounts following his father's arrest, the IOs added.

AMAN CASE
Judge Firoz Alam of the First Special Court yesterday adjourned hearing of the graft case against former state minister for labour and employment Aman and his wife Sabera Aman until today following a time petition by the prosecution lawyers.

The adjournment came since Sabera was not produced before the court due to her illness. However, the complainant appeared to give his deposition.

The case was filed against them with Kafrul Police Station on March 6 accusing them of amassing huge wealth through illegal means.

ACC DDs Abdullah Al Zahid and Jibon Krishna Roy, also the IOs of the case, submitted the charge sheet of the case.

In the charge sheet, the IOs said Aman and his wife amassed properties valued over Tk 10 crore illegally.

The DDs accused Sabera of giving false information in her statement to the anti-graft body.

ntv MD REMANDED
Metropolitan Magistrate Jagannath Das Khokon yesterday placed ntv managing director (MD) Enayetur Rahman Bappi on a two-day remand in a fraud case.

On the other hand, owner of Sky Autos, Istiaq Sadiq, was not granted any remand since he was not produced before it.

Earlier, the ACC on May 16 sought a three-day remand prayer to interrogate Bappi and Sadiq in the case filed on March 17 with Pallabi Police Station in connection with evading tax during import of a luxury car by abusing duty-free car import privilege of an MP.

In his remand prayer, the IO Monaem Hossain, also assistant director of the ACC, mentioned that they were directly involved with fraud and they need to be quizzed to find out vital clue to the incident.

DIPJAL ARMS CASE
Another Dhaka court yesterday adjourned hearing on charge framing against Dhaka City Corporation Ward Commissioner Monowar Hossain Dipjal and his wife Rumana Dipjal in an arms case.

Judge Mohamamd Azizul Haq of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court set May 27 for next hearing of the case.

The IO pressed charges against them on March 16 showing 12 people as prosecution witnesses.

Dipjal is still at large while Rumana is now in jail custody. The joint forces seized huge arms and ammunition from their Mirpur house on March 8.