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Shah Moazzem tells court trying wealth amassing case

I supported Ershad to stop recurrence of Martial Law
Shah Moazzem Hossain, MP, Secretary General of the Jatiya Party Monday described General Ershad's Martial Law as "benevolent" In nature which was aimed at 'service and .welfare' to the people, reports BSS.
As a defence witness in the corruption case against the former ruler, Shah Moazzem, during cross examination, said he supported Ershad to "stop recurrence of military rule."
When asked by the Attorney General Amlnul Haq earlier whether he regarded all military rulers in the same light, the former Deputy Prime Minister under Ershad said, "A military ruler is a military ruler".
To another question, Shah Moazzem who claimed to be a front ranking Awami Leaguer in the Sixties said he considered the tenures of Ayub and Yahya as "oppressive". Since Khandakar Mustaque's Martial Law was shortlived it could not be evaluated, he added.
Shah Moazzem who was the ninth defence witness in the case against Ershad for amassing wealth beyond his known source of income said being Impressed by his leadership quality, he Joined hands with Ershad to improve the lot of the people. He admitted that the country was under Martial Law when he Joined Janadal with his Democratic League.
He denied lo have lied tn the court but asserted that he became a defence witness to save accused Ershad 'from "false and conspiratorial case." He also rejected a suggestion that money suit was filed to save accused Ershad.
Shah Moazzem who claimed to have contributed Taka 18,000 towards party's special fund, during cross examination testified that he handed over the amount on November 5, 1990 "probably in the evening." When his attention was drawn that curfew was imposed from 6 pm of November 5 lo 5 am of the following day, the defence witness first said. "1 am not aware" and then added, "Curfew could not slop me." 1 Ic further said weather, political events or any other thing could nol stop him from attending office.
The defence witness testified that the so-called resolution of the JP on July 10 last year on fund collection do not contain formation of "special fund" and lack any mention about party's intention to purchase a house. He denied to have lied about special fund. When showed the resolution, he admitted that it was not the resolution of the JP Central Committee.
Shah Moazzem strongly defended that he was present on 1 one occasion when JP Office Secretary Tajul Islam Chowdhury handed over Taka 20 to 25 lakh to JP Chairman Ershad at his Senabhaban. He told the court that he came to know from Ershad and Tajul that about Taka 2 crore have been collected under different heads and affirmed that
Ershad gave Taka 10 lakh to former minister Naziur Rahman to gel the party organised for presidential election.
Shah Moazzem who affirmed that the Central Committee of the JP decided to purchase a house for the party by raising funds, however, rejected a suggestion that Tajul Islam was not assigned to collect such fund.
Shah Moazzem denied that the second manifesto of Jatiya Party submitted by the defence was concocted and a counterfeit and said such allegations were not "true". He described the manifesto produced by the prosecution as a "draft" and said it was circulated to elicit opinion.
A member of parliament for five lerms, the defence witness during deposition said he got elected Uv September 11 by-elcctlon defeating candidates of AL, BNP and Jamaat. He added candidates of BNP and Jamaal had their deposits forfeiled in a constituency which was not his home area.
Shah Moazzem who claimed to have suffered 15/16 years imprisonment for political reasons, Joined Mustaque's cabinet in August 1975 alongwilh other Awami League leaders and then left it to become the founder General Secretary of Democratic League in 1976.
He said after division, he led one faction of Democratic League before Joining Janadal which later became Jatiya Party. He was appointed' in Secretary General in July 1987.
Shah Moazzem deposed that Jatiya Party leadership being advised by Chairman Ershad decided to purchase the building which was taken on rental basis. The witness who testified that it was his signature in the resolution for raising money, however answered in the negative when asked by Judge Mohammad All Khan whether any reason was given for fund raising.
The defence witness said JP Office Secretary Tajul Islam Chowdhury was entrusted with the task of collecting funds and deposit those lo Ershad in cash. He reasoned that colk-c lions were kepi in cash so that those could be easily deposited anytime asked for by the Works Ministry which earlier intimated the party of Its willingness to sell the house in question.
The cross examination over, Attorney General asked the defence to produce the next witness, which they failed stating Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, the 10th witness remained busy tn a case in High Court.
Yusuf Hossain Humayun who conducted the deposition of Shah Moazzem pleaded with the court that the new DWs whose list was submitted last Thursday be allowed to give their deposition and be examined.
Judge Mohammad All Khan who adjourned the hearing till today said the mailer would be taken up after ihc first list was completed.