Moudud made the remark at a press conference at Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs ministry in reply to a question about the speculation that the government reached an understanding with Ershad to withdraw the corruption cases against him if he joins the ruling alliance.

Moudud termed the question a hypothetical one and said that he was unaware of any such understanding. "I do not think there was such an understanding with him".

However, he added that if it were a political decision to withdraw the cases, the ministry would do the needful. "But no such decision has been made so far," confirmed the minister.

When asked about the legal jurisdiction over withdrawal of corruption cases, Moudud said the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) would be the authorised body to withdraw any corruption cases.

The press meet was organised highlighting the government's legal aid services to the financially disadvantaged.

The minister informed that the government has provided legal aid to 32,480 people in criminal cases, 11,484 people in civil cases and 800 people for jail appeals since early 2002 till June 30, 2006.

The government has been providing legal assistance in 61 districts with financial help from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

"Mainly those who have been wrongly confined in jails and cannot afford any lawyer for them are the recipients of this legal aid," said Barrister Shajahan Omor, state minister of the ministry, who was also present at the programme.

Destitute women of the society and freedom fighters with earnings less than Tk 6,000 per month are also eligible for the aid, he added.

The government has been organising awareness campaigns to inform the people eligible for the legal aid services.