Schism within BNP lawyers affecting Khaleda Zia’s trial?

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Salman Tareque Sakil
Published : 11:30, Mar 22, 2019 | Updated : 11:35, Mar 22, 2019

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia attends a rally in Dhaka October 20, 2013. REUTERS FILE PHOTOThere is a contention among BNP lawyers over Khaleda Zia’s case and her bail.

It’s believed that most senior lawyers of the party do not want to take an opposing stand against those who are linked to the trial of the BNP chair person.

BNP lawyers say that Khaleda Zia was given 5 years imprisonment in the Zia charity graft case which was later extended to ten years. In the appeal, Abdur Razzak made a mistake and informed the court of an error in the draft.

This triggered a wave of recriminations which has had an adverse impact on the case.

However, former president of supreme-court lawyers’ association, Zainal Abedin, says, “We do not have any discord; Khaleda Zia cannot be released because the government does not have a desire to see her freed.”

We have taken bail in several cases but freedom remains elusive, he added.

The appeal on Khaleda Zia’s case stated that the punishment was politically motivated.

A young lawyer says, “The case against Khaleda Zia is one hundred per cent political but it’s not running properly due to disinterest of lawyers, ego problems and other issues.”

A BNP joint secretary general said, “Khaleda Zia did not take part in four to five hearings on time which has delayed the hearings.”

Two BNP standing committee members say that barrister Moudud Ahmed exerts the most influence during meets with lawyers with support from Khondokar Mahbub Hossain and barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon.

Noted lawyers of the standing committee are barrister Zamir Uddin Sirkar and his son Naushad Zamir. Party secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir gives most importance to advocate Zainul Abedin.

BNP lawyers say there isn’t any monitoring cell or committee to carry out Khaleda Zia’s case. One member of the advisory board adds, “The case is not coordinated properly.”

Everyone tries to save their skin, he observed.

Calling the rumours about schism within the lawyers’ untrue, advocate Aminul Islam, said, “It might appear from a distance that there is a lack of cohesion but it’s not true; we are working to get the chairperson out but the state always upholds the punishment.”

In the NIKO, GATCO and Barapukuria case, she is in bail but since she did not get bail in the Zia charity graft case, Khaleda Zia cannot be freed, he added.

He further added that there is no need for further coordination.

At the supreme-court lawyers’ election, AJ Mohammad Ali lost though barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon won as general secretary.

BNP leader advocate Taimur Alam Khondokar, told Bangla Tribune, “There should have been an evaluation meet to find out why our candidate for president lost.”

“We are having to face a plethora of problems; there is a feeling of state intervention in prosecution.”

We are not getting justice due to the intervention of the state; if a natural legal process had been followed then we would be able to free Khaleda Zia, he said.

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