The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday uphold a High Court verdict that fined former first lady Begum Raushan Ershad and others Taka 10,000 each, in default, to suffer two years in prison in Janata Tower graft case.

The full court, led by Chief Justice M M Ruhul Amin, after hearing, rejected the appeal petitions brought by Raushan Ershad and others against the High Court decision.

The court, however, granted an appeal filed for the state against the High Court verdict that ordered to hand over the Janata Tower to Shukur Ali Pradhan and others, but it rejected a state prayer seeking enhancement of the appellants' punishment.

After the Highest Court decision, the Janata Tower remains a state property, Deputy Attorney General Zahirul Islam Mukul told reporters.

The then Bureau of Anti-Corruption lodged the case with Tejgaon thana on April 14, 1991, accusing former president H M Ershad, Begum Raushan Ershad, former RAJUK chairman M M Rahmatullah, Shukur Ali Pradhan and others.