DHAKA: Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, the former President of the country, placed self-justification at a Dhaka court against the corruption charge over radar purchase case on Thursday.

Ershad along with his lawyers reached the court at 11:10am with a car carrying national flag.

Ershad’s lawyer Sheikh Sirajul Islam confirmed the matter to banglanews.

On April 24, the court concluded the recording of depositions by prosecution witnesses in the radar purchase graft case filed against former military ruler HM Ershad and three others. Some 11 witnesses submitted depositions at the court on favor of prosecution.

Judge of Dhaka divisional special judge's court Abdur Rashid fixed May 15 for placing self-justification by Ershad.

However, earlier, the Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAC) filed the case on May 4, 1992 against the then President of the country and three others. The charge-sheet was submitted in the case on October 27, 1994. The court framed charges against the accused on August 12, 1995.

The other accused in the case are former Air Force chief Air vice Marshal (retd) Sultan Mahmud, former Air Force chief Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed, and Director of United Traders AKM Musa. 

According to the case statement, the accused, including Ershad, in collusion with each other, bought a high-powered and two low-looking level radars that caused a loss of Tk 640,442,918 to the national exchequer.

BDST: 1210 HRS, MAY 15, 2014