An official has said that former President Hussein Muhammad Ershad took financial benefits from a US company to buy one high-powered and two low-looking radars during his rule.
Anti-Corruption Commission Deputy Director Manjur Ahmed said this in his deposition in a case against the Jatiya Party Chairman at the Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Court on Thursday related to corruption in radar purchase.
Ahmed is one of the Inspecting Officers in this case and the eleventh witness, who placed his findings obtained from the investigation.
“Air Force chief Sadar Uddin Ahmed had applied to then President Ziaur Rahman to buy a state-of-the-art radar for the armed force,” he said.
“A meeting chaired by Zia sanctioned the purchase of a high-powered radar and two low-looking radars of France’s Thompson CSF Company.”
Former President Ershad and another accused in the case later turned down the French offer and took money to place the order with the US-based Westin company at a higher price, the ACC official said.
“The state incurred a loss of Tk 644 million because of the deal.”
Ershad was not present in court during the deposition, but former Assistant Chiefs of the Air Force Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed and Sultan Mahmud were there.
One of accused, AKM Musa, is on the run.
Anti-Corruption Bureau filed this case on May 4, 1992, alleging a TK 644 million loss in buying one high-powered and two low-looking radars.
After the charge sheet was filed on Oct 27, 1994, charges were framed on Aug 12 the following year.
Source: Bd news24
