DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Tuesday approved the time extension plea by the prosecution for further investigation into General Manzoor murder case and ordered to submit the report within July 15.

The court also relieved former President and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad from personal appearance in the court during further hearing on the case till the submission of the report.

Additional district and session judge-1 Khandaker Hasan M Firoz passed the orders.

The court also entertained a request of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police for another three-month time for further investigation into the much-talked-about murder case.

The CID was supposed to submit its further investigation report Tuesday, but being failed to complete the enquiry, investigation officer Abdul Kahhar Akanda made a time request.

Public prosecutor Asaduzzaman Khan Rochi, in his plea, said they need to contact deceased general’s wife for further investigation and this is why they need time.

February 10 was fixed for the verdict but the newly appointed Judge Khandaker Hasan M Firoz in place of Judge Hosne Ara Akhter decided for fresh hearing of the case and fixed February 27 as hearing date.

On February 27, prosecution applied for further investigation and the court ordered Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and submitted report by April 22.

Major General Manzoor was killed on June 1, 1981 in Chittagong cantonment, just two days within the assassination of the then President Ziaur Rahman.

On February 28, 1995, after 14 years of the murder, deceased’s elder brother Advocate Abul Mansur Ahmed filed a killing case with Panchlaish Thana of the port city.

Before Khandaker Hasan M Firoz, judges were changed in the case for 22 times in the last 19 years.

BDST: 1920 HRS, APR 22, 2014