Ershad acquitted in radar scam case

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and three others were acquitted of charges in 24-year-old radar purchase scam case.

Judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah of Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court pronounced the verdict today in presence of HM Ershad and two others at a packed court room.

In the judgment, the judge said the prosecution failed to prove the charges brought against them.

READ MORE: Resume trial of Ershad's radar case

Earlier on January 8, the Supreme Court (SC) directed the lower court concerned to resume and finish the trial proceedings of the scam case.

The now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption filed the case against Ershad and three others in 1992.

READ ALSO: SC asks lower court to finish trial against Ershad

Ershad in collusion with others allegedly caused a loss of Tk 64.04 crore to the state exchequer by purchasing radars from the USA while he was in power, said the case statement.

On August 12, 1995, the trial court framed charges against Ershad, former air chiefs Sultan Mahmud and Mamtazuddin Ahmed, and United Traders Ltd director AKM Musa. Musa has been absconding since then.