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HC acquits Ershad in arms case
A High Court bench yesterday acquitted former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad of the charge of possessing illegal arms, 'reports UNB.
Setting aside the verdict of a special tribunal that had sentenced Ershad to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment for possessing illegal arms, the two-member bench;,, said : "Considering all circumstances and facts we cannot support the order of the tribunal."
"The appellant Hussain Muhammad Ershad is not found guilty of the charge of possessing illegal arms,' said justice Naimuddin and justice Ruhul Amin in their unanimous Hidgement on*the appeal hied by Ershad on June 12, challenging the order of. the tribunal. «
Tht! court also summarily rejected a prayer from Deputy Attorney General Hasan Arif to stay the operation of its verdict for two days.
A number of firearms and ammunition were recovered by police from Ershad's residence, where he was kept confined soon after his resignation on December 6, 1990.
The court, striking down the verdict of the special'tribunal headed by Judge Md Habibullah, said according to law, a President can possess firearms oi certain calibre without license and therefore there was no illegality in the appellant's possessing such arms.
Further, the court in its judgement said Ershad was entitled to a general amnesty announced by the then in tenm government of lustice Shahabuddin Ahmed
The interim government at the time had announced the amnesty to all those who would surrender their arms to the nearest police stations within a stipulated time frame.
"Ershad's agent Mosharraf Hossain handed over those arms to the Commissioner of Police and it was his duty to tell him to surrender those arms to the nearest police station . . . In all fairness, the appellant is entitled to get the amnesty of the government," said Justice Naimuddin.
The verdict of the High Court came a day ahead of the Jatiya Party's planned six-hour general strike called to protest a "conspiracy" to involve Ershad in Manzur murder case as well as to [Hess for his release.
In an instant reaction, former Vice President Barrister Moudud Ahmed, who was present at the court, told reporters, "The verdict once again proved that Ershad is being repressed by the government through false charges and cases."
The former President, who was also convicted by special tribunals in two other cases on charges of corruption and abuse of power, has been serving sentences in the Dhaka Central Jail.
Two more appeals on behalf of Ershad against orders of the special tribunals ate also pending in the High Court Division.
Immediately after the verdict, given in a packed court, tubilant Jatiya Party workers irought out a procession in front of the Jatiya Press Chib, witnesses said.
BSS adds: Ershad, who ruled the country for nearly nine years, was also sentenced to three years' simple imprisonment in a corruption case for amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income on February 4, 1992. In another corruption case, the Janata Tower -Case, Ershad was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment-on June 7, 19^3
About 16 cases are now pending against him.
The government may file an application for leave to appeal against the judgement and order of the High Court Division acquitting Ershad.