On Monday, IG, Prisons, Brigadier Syed Iftekharuddin told journalists that Khaleda Zia is determined to be admitted to United Hospital.
We had preparations to take her to BSMMU today, Tuesday, but she had expressed her firm desire to be treated at United, said IG prisons.
We tried to convince her but to no avail, he added.
He further said, Khaleda Zia was not asked why she is unwilling to be admitted to BSMMU.
“According to the jail code, we can only send her to the highest referral multidisciplinary hospital and can shift to a private hospital, with permission from higher authority, if required testing facilities are absent.”
According to jail code, BSMMU is the top most hospital.
He further informed that jail authority does not have the prerogative to take a decision on private hospitals.
If they lodge an application, we can submit it to the higher authority.
Earlier, senior jail super of Dhaka Central Jail, Jahangir Kabir, told Bangla Tribune: “since she does not want to go to BSMMU, we cannot force her.”
Treatment within the best possible capacity of the prison authority is currently being given to her within the premises, he informed.
On Monday morning, security was tightened around Shahbagh PG Hospital area. Later, with Khaleda Zia’s refusal, the extra personnel were removed.
Khaldea Zia was handed a five year imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage graft case by a special court in Bakshibazar on 8 February last. The same day, she was transferred to the old prison building situated on Nazimuddin Road.