Judgement in the income tax corruption case against former president HM Ershad was adjourned for the third time, as the judge concerned was on leave yesterday.

Judge Rezaul Karim Khan of the Special Court for Dhaka Division was supposed to give his verdict on the case on October 7.

Ershad along with his lawyer Sheikh Serajul Islam appeared before the court at 10:45am yesterday.

The judgement was adjourned twice before for time petitions made by the defence lawyer.

The Bureau of Anti-corruption (Bac) filed the case with Ramna Police Station accusing Ershad and three tax officials on July 27, 1992.

The Prime Minister's Office gave Bac the nod to press charge against Ershad on November 30,1992. It also decided to exempt the taxmen from the case.

It was alleged that Ershad, while he was in power, paid Tk 7,43,416 as income tax for six years (19831989). Later, he withdrew Tk 2,76,324 without submitting any document in favour of his action.

The investigation officer of the case submitted charge sheet stating Ershad as the lone accused on December 19, 1992. The three tax officials were shown as prosecution witnesses.

The court framed charges against Ershad on June 17, 1993 and recorded statements of the prosecution witnesses during the trial.