Judge Malik Abdullah Al Amin of the Special Court for Dhaka Division recorded the statement of the complainant, Golam Mortuza, an official of the now defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption, and fixed July 30 for next hearing.

Though the charges were framed on July 7, 1992, the trial of the case was stayed for a long time due to a High Court order

On September 4, 1979, Ershad and former chairman of Bangladesh Shilpa Bank (BSB) AKM Mosharaf Hossain directed the authorities concerned to waive Tk 35 lakh loan taken by M/S Three Star Poultry Farm Limited.

Later, a graft case was filed with Motijheel Police Station against Ershad, Mosharraf, BSB Managing Director Jahangir Kabir, Directors Firoz Kabir and Borhan Uddin and Jahangir's wife Nurunnahar Shelly.

Of them, Jahangir and his wife Shelly are still at large while others are now on bail.

The investigation officer pressed charges against Ershad and five others on November 6, 1991.

ANOTHER GRAFT CASE
The same court yesterday adjourned the proceedings of another graft case against Ershad until July 22 following a time petition submitted by the defence lawyers.

On the other hand, five prosecution witnesses appeared before the court yesterday for giving their statements.

According to a case, filed with Tejgaon Police Station in 1992, Ershad, while in power, allegedly directed the authorities concerned to purchase ENG (electronic news-gathering) equipment worth about Tk 2.93 crore to be used by him and his wife though all broadcasting facilities were available at his secretariat.