The New Nation - Internet Edition

Court Correspondent

Divisional Special Judge of Dhaka yesterday decided to start trial on April 20, at the Parliament House premises in the graft case filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 6 others in connection with the purchase of 8 Mig-29 jet planes.

Yesterday was fixed for framing charge against the accused but as Sheikh Hasina was not produced before the court due to security reasons, Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Division Judge of Dhaka fixed the new date, when charge will likely be framed.

Other accused of case are:former Army Chief Mustafizur Rahman, former BAF Chief Air Vice Marshal Jamaluddin Ahmed, former Defence Secretary Yusuf Hossain, Air Commodore Akhter Maruf, former Defence Secretary Mohammad Hossain Serniabat and businessman Nur Ali.

Abdullah Al Zahid, an officer of former Anti-Corruption Burean, filed the case with Tejgaon Thana of the city on December 11, 2001. The accused allegedly purchased the Mig-29 planes through mutul conspiracy to make themselves benefited economically, which caused loss of Taka 700 crore to the national exchequer.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Golam Rabbani yesterday refixed May 11 to submit the inquiry report in the Gatco graft case filed agianst 13 persons including another former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Yesterday was earlier fixed for submission of the report, although it was not submitted.