The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Divisional Special Judge's court Sunday deferred to April 27 the scheduled charge hearing on Mig-29 purchase scam case as principal accused detained ex-premier Sheikh Hasina did not turn up for her illness. Hasina who is suffering blood pressure and problems with her ears and eyes was admitted to Square hospital second time Saturday. She was first hospitalized on March 11 and was discharged on March 30.

As the court relocated to the highly secured parliament complex resumed at 10-45 am, Chief Special Public Prosecutor (CSPP) Sharfuddin Khan Mukul quoting Square hospital report informed the court that Hasina is not fit to attend court.

The CSPP also informed the court that another co-accused former army chief Gen (rtd) Mustafizur Rahman, now on bail, could not appear at court due to his illness.

Besides, lawyers for Hasina put forward an application praying for a four-week adjournment on the charge hearing.

After hearing both sides, Judge Golam Mortoza Majumder re-fixed April 27 for charge hearing.

The five other charge-sheeted accused in the case, now enjoying bail, appeared at the court. They were ex-air force chief air marshal (retd) Jamal Uddin Ahmed, retired defence secretary Syed Yusuf Hossain, air commodore (retd) Mirza Akhtar Maruf, retired defence joint secretary Mohammad Hossain Serniabat and businessman Noor Ali. Eight Russian-made fighter planes of the brand were procured for Bangladesh Air Force when Hasina was the Prime Minister (1996-2001). According to the case, filed with Tejgaon Police Station, the purchase of the supersonic jets during the tenure of the Awami League government caused a loss of Tk 700 crore to the public exchequer. Shortly after the BNP-led four-party alliance came to power, the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption filed the Mig-scam case against Hasina and others in December 2001.