Khaleda challenges hospital release

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging her release from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

She submitted the petition though her lawyer Barrister Nawshad Jamir also praying to the HC to order the government to send her to a specialized hospital for treatment.

Citing the petition, Zainul Abedin, a senior lawyer for Khaleda, told The Daily Star that the government took Khaleda back to the jail without completing her treatment at BSMMU.

“It is a violation of her (Khaleda) fundamental rights,” Zainul said.

Zainul, also president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said Khaleda Zia was admitted to BSMMU as per an earlier HC directive, but she was taken back to the jail on November 8.

The HC may hold hearing on the writ petition tomorrow, the lawyer added.    

WHEN WAS KHALEDA TAKEN BACK TO JAIL? 

The BNP chief was taken to old central jail directly from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and produced before a special court there in Niko graft case on November 8.

Khaleda was released from the BSMMU after the medical board formed for her treatment gave her discharge certificate, BSMMU Director Brig Gen Abdullah Al Harun said.

WHEN WAS KHALEDA ADMITTED TO BSMMU?

The former prime minister was admitted to the BSMMU hospital on October 6 following a High Court order.

WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS IN NIKO GRAFT CASE?

On December 9, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Niko graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing Khaleda and 10 others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko during her tenure as the prime minister.

WHY THE COURT WAS SET UP INSIDE OLD CENTRAL JAIL?

On November 7, the law ministry issued a gazette notification ensuring the trial of Khaleda and others accused in the Niko corruption case to be held at a makeshift court in Old Dhaka central jail.

The ministry issued the gazette notification transferring the court citing security reasons.

WHY KHALEDA IS IN JAIL?

Khaleda landed in the old central jail on February 8 after a special court sentenced her to five years' rigorous imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

The High Court on October 30 enhanced the punishment of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to 10 years imprisonment in the case.

Besides, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was also convicted in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case and sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment by a special court on October 29.

WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER IN ZIA ORPHANAGE GRAFT?

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the graft case with Ramna Police Station in Dhaka in July 2008, accusing Khaleda and five others of misappropriating over Tk 2.1 crore that had come from a foreign bank as grants for orphans.

According to the case document, then (1991-1996) prime minister Khaleda Zia opened an account named “Prime Minister's Orphanage Trust” with the Ramna branch of Sonali Bank.

On June 9, 1991, $126,000 (Tk 4,44,81,216) was deposited in the account from United Saudi Commercial Bank, but the money was not spent for any orphanage between June 9, 1991, and September 5, 1993, it said.