BNP has become active once more to release chairperson Khaleda Zia. On Tuesday (Oct 1), three persons and on Wednesday (Oct 2), four MPs met her.
Khaleda Zia’s lawyers feel that the MPs’ request to the government for bail does not reflect Khaleda Zia’s sentiments. She is adamant about coming out on bail, say lawyers.
Member of the party’s standing committee, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, said: “We do not have any discussion in the party about securing freedom in parole.”
Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, adds: “We did not apply for parole.”
However, BNP MP Golam Mohammad Siraj, says: “Khaleda Zia has said that she is deprived of specialist doctors and if needed, will take treatment abroad.”
The BNP joint secretary general, Harunur Rashid met AL general secretary Obaidul Quader recently and asked Quader not to interfere in Khaldea Zia’s bail procedure.
On Wednesday (Oct 2), BNP MP from the reserved seat, barrister Rumin Farhana, met Khaleda Zia and said: “In a terrible state, Khaleda Zia cannot eat on her own, dress or walk.”
Arranging a proper treatment for her is the main issue now, added Rumin.
BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said, observed: “The government cannot give bail without parole and for that, we have to go to court, which is now in recess.”
The issue is political, the courts are politically influenced and so, how can Khaleda Zia get release without consent from the government?
Even if she is freed on bail, government permission will be needed for her to go abroad for treatment, he added.
Party lawyer and vice chairman advocate Zainal Abedin, said: “We haven’t received bail in two cases and will apply once court reopens.”
A source at the BNP chairperson’s office says that their comments may have been influenced by emotion. They were unsettled by the health condition of Khaleda Zia.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said: “Our backs are against the wall and the overall condition of the country is not stable either; we want Khaleda Zia’s bail.”
On Feb 8, 2018, the court handed a five-year sentence to Khaleda Zia for the Zia Charitable Trust case; later, at the appeal, the sentence was extended to 10 years. At present, there are 33 cases against the BNP chairperson. On Apr 1, she was admitted to the BSMMU.