The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Former army chief Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman, Bir Bikram, was Tuesday dispensed with personal appearance in court during trial in the Mig-29 warplane-purchase graft case.

Dhaka divisional special judge's court relocated to the high-security parliament complex apparently passed the order suo moto on health grounds, overruling objection raised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor.

A heart patient, Gen (retd) Mustafiz, now on a regular bail, is being treated at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in the capital, said his counsel while moving the exemption petition.

The counsel further told the court that his client needs treatment abroad as a CMH medical board had already advised him overseas treatment.

The ACC prosecutor opposed the exemption plea, terming the application "defective" and not placed properly in accordance with prescribed rules.

In view of the situation, Judge M Golam Mortuza Majumder asked Syed Rezaur Rahman, the counsel for Gen (retd) Mustafiz, to get the application corrected. And after an instant correction, the application was granted.

After the court order, the hearing on the defence arguments encountering prosecution proposal for framing charge against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six others, including Mustafiz, in the Mig-29 graft case was adjourned till July 16.