The judgment of a graft case against detained former state minister for civil aviation Mir Nasiruddin and his son Mir Helaluddin will be delivered today.

Judge Mohammad Abul Bashar of First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court, Dhaka handed down the verdict against controversial businessman Mamun in his presence in a packed courtroom.

Earlier, Mamun was produced before the court at 4:00pm under tight security.

In the verdict, the judge said Mamun should be given exemplary punishment for possessing illegal firearms and ammunition, but he has been given minimum punishment since he did not use the firearms and ammunition for committing criminal offences.

The trial, which began on June 9, was completed in 44 workdays.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments and the court recorded statements of 26 prosecution witnesses including the complainant and investigation officer (IO) of the case.

The prosecution told the court that they were able to prove the charges against Mamun beyond doubt and prayed for the highest punishment. The defence appealed to the court for acquittal of their client.

Mamun told the court that the joint forces arrested him from his friend's Paltan residence on January 31 and produced him before the court on March 26 implicating him in the arms case.

Police, however, showed Mamun arrested at his Banani DOHS residence on March 26. They also seized a .22 Spanish-made pistol and eight bullets from his house.

Sub-Inspector Kazi Abdul Awal filed an arms case and Mamun was placed on a four-day remand.

On April 26, Shahrum Khan, officer-in-charge of Cantonment Police Station and IO of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka, against Mamun, showing 29 people as prosecution witnesses.

Additional Public Prosecutor Kabir Hossain appeared for the state while advocate TM Akbar defended the accused.

Mamun was earlier sentenced to three years' imprisonment for not submitting wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) within its stipulated time fame.

Mamun, a close associate of Tarique Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, faces at least half a dozen more criminal cases.

NADIM'S CASE
The Second Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court, Rajshahi sentenced former BNP lawmaker Nadim Mostafa and his three associates to five years' imprisonment for swindling Tk 1 lakh from a Puthia upazila villager promising to give his son a job.

Judge Rejaul Islam read out the verdict in the absence of Nadim and another accused Abdul Majid Mollah, brother of upazila BNP Vice President Abdul Hamid.

Two other convicts--Bhallukgachhi union BNP General Secretary Nazmul Gani Pintu and Darampur College Principal Omar Ali--were present on the dock when the verdict was pronounced.

The court also fined them Tk 7,000 each and in default another four months' imprisonment.

The punishment of Nadim and Majid will be effective from the day of their arrest or surrender, the judge said.

MIR NASIR'S CASE
A Special Court set up at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar MP Hostel will deliver today the judgment of a graft case against Mir Nasir and his son Mir Helal. Second Special Judge AK Roy will start delivering the verdict at 11:30am.

The case was filed against the two for submitting false wealth statements to the ACC. Helal was also accused of abetting his father in amassing illegal wealth.