Subcdar Shah Mohammed Shahjahan Shtekh. a defence witness in deposed president Ershad s arms case, testified that during his about a year’s service as PA to the Supreme Commander he used to maintain the licenses of eight weapons belonging to Ershad.

Deposing before the special tribunal on Saturday. Subedar ■Shahjahan said that during his service as PA to Ershad he had advised Ershad to obtain licenses for all the weapons In his possession. But Ershad had asked him not to bother about all the other unlicensed arms which he claimed were gifts.

The Defence produced a document relating to a weapon, which was claimed to have been deposited to the Army Museum by Ershad The document purports to show that Ershad had applied for a license for that particular weapon. But the Defence could not produce the particular license as such, which the Attorney General was quick to point out.

Officer in charge of the Army Museum Major Wahed. who was named a Defence witness. on Saturday sent a letter to the tribunal regretting that due to certain exigencies he

would not be able to appear before the court to make any statement

Another defence witness Col Saif may not appear to testify either, it is reliably learnt.

The presiding judge of the tribunal Mohammad Habibullah rejected another Defence petition to bring the weapon which was deposited to the Army Museum because the Defence could not produce the exact number of the weapon.

On the other hand. Judge Mohammad Habibullah accepted a Prosecution to summon Military Secretary of the

ex-president. Major General Manzur Rashid Khan and former chief of protocol Brigadier M. G. Rabbani as court's witnesses for what the Attorney General termed, 'to serve the ends of the justice."

The tribunal was adjourned at noon to resume on May 7.

Yesterday. Defence witness Shah Mohammad Shahjahan Sheikh was first examined by Defence lawyer Sirajul Haque and later cross-examined by the Attorney General Aminul Haque.

Judge: Where are you working now ?

Mohammad Shahjahan (MS): At the Chittagong Military Academy.

Defence lawyer (DL): What was your duty ?

MS: I used to work as personal assistant to the Supreme Commander. 1 worked tn that capacity from January 25. 1990 to December 12. 1990.

DU What kind of duties did you perform?

MS: I used to deal with the personal file, particularly pay and allowances. TA/DA. claims, service records, private car. private arms licenses and other documents of personal nature of the .Supreme Commander.

DU Do you know how many personal guns Ershad had ■with him?

MS: I had licenses for eight guns, of which one belonged to one A M G Morshcd.

DU Who did you give the licenses of personal guns to?

MS: 1 gave those licenses to H M Ershad between December 7 to December 12. 1990.

DU Would you know the papers of that personal file, if you see them? (showing a paper) Who signed the paper?

MS: H M Ershad. This is an application for a license for a double-barrel gun.

DU What Is written in column 11?

MS: There is a mention about prior license. License No 41/275 Dhaka Magistracy dt.

DU (Showing another paper): Who signed this letter?

MS: Lt Col. Sharifuddin. who has since been promoted to Brigadier. He forwarded the letter to the D C Dhaka for issuing a gun license.

DL : What Is written in column 'C ?

MS : It says that the rifle is of 30-06 bore. And its number is 464071. The previous license was issued from Mymensingh and the number was 294.

DL : Do you know anything about the 30-06 rifle ?

MS : Once Ershad told me that he had given the rifle to the Army Museum. I have also seen the receipt of the rifle in the personal file.

DL : Did you have any office room at Sena Bhavan ?

MS : Yes.

DL : Did you ever sec the drawing room ?

MS: Yes.

DL : What did you see in the drawing room ?

MS : I have seen a big sized television set which I had never seen before. I have also seen some books and also some arms displayed in a showcase.

DL : Did you ask Ershad about the arms which were kept on display In the drawing room ?

MS : Yes. He told me that those were gifts from abroad. He also told me that I had nothing to bother about all those items. He asked me look after his personal things.

DL : From where was the catering of Sena Bhavan done ?

M S : All the catering used to come from Banga Bhavan.

DL : Did you ever take those , foods ?

MS : Sometimes I used to have a cup of tea.

DL : Now you don't do the duty of Ershad.

MS : 1 had never done any one's personal Job. 1 used to serve the institution. Then the Defence witness was put for cross-examination by the prosecution. Attorney General Aminul Haque cross-examined him.

Attorney General : How do you think Ershad is looking ? (Pointing to Ershad, who Is sitting in the dock). Do you have any sympathy for Ershad ?

MS : I have sympathy for all mankind.

AG : Be specific — do you have any sympathy for Ershad ? Do you want that Ershad should be released with prestige and honour ?

MS : That will be decided by the honourable court.

AG : Is there anything in writing about the issuance of a license for the said arm ? Is there any mention of any license which was issued later on ?

MS : There is no mention of any license issued from Mymensingh.

Judge : Did you ever sec any 30-06 rifle at the Sena Bhavan or the license of that weapon?

MS : 1 have never seen that arms nor any license for ft during my tenure as PA.

Judge : Did the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka tell you anything on the basis of the form submitted for licensing?

MS : I can't tell.

AG : It is seen that the date of application mentioned in the form has been Ershad.

MS : (Looking to the form) Yes. it was overwritten.

AG : Was the letter mentioned in the Movement Register ?

MS : I don't know.

AG : Have you seen the office copy of the letter in your file ?

MS : I can't remember.

AG : Was it acknowledged by the Deputy Commissioner ?

MS : 1 don't know.

AG : Who was the secretary of the president ?

MS: Col Sharif.

AG : Where were you on December 5. 1990 ?

MS : I was in the office of the Supreme Commander.

AG: don't give false evidence. There Is a law that says a false witness can be punished with seven years RI. Recently you made a statement in an Army Court of Enquiry about a case along with Lt Col Mohid Ali and Col Rashid.

MS: Yes. (After a pause) Let me think where I was on December 5. (After a while he said) I went to the office of the Supreme Commander in the morning. Then I went to the Sena Bhavan.

AG: You worked in the garden of the Sena Bhavan from 9.30 to 11.30 am because you were in charge of looking after the garden.

MS: Yes.

AG: Did you see that H M Ershad and Lt Col Saiful Haque came together to Sena Bhavan?

MS: Yes.

AG: You helped them to take out a locker.

MS: (No clear response)

AG: (Showing a picture) They sat in a meeting; the locker was kept under lock at the President s Secretariat.

MS: I don't know what was taken out from the locker.

AG: (Showing a badge) do you know the badge? Who wears it?

MS: I don't know.

AG: You don't know that this is a badge of the Supreme Commander.

MS: 1 don't know.

AG: Now you wouldn't know many things.

MS: 1 just helped in removing the locker.

AG: Where did you work before joining as PA to the President?

MS: I used to work in the Bureau of Anti-Corruption on deputation as an inspector.

AG: How long have you served there?

MS: About four to five months.

AG: Do you know that Ershad owned a chunk of land at Savar?

MS: I don't know.

AG: Do you know that there was about Taka 10 crore in the locker?

The court is likely to cross-examine the former Chief of Protocol and the Military Secretary on May 7.