The BNP yesterday alleged that the government was pushing Khaleda Zia towards a tragic consequence through torturing her physically and mentally.

Speaking at a press conference, party standing committee member barrister Jamiruddin Sircar said keeping the BNP chairperson in jail depriving her of bail is “contrary to the constitution and human rights” since no case against her has been disposed of yet by the Supreme Court.

BNP standing committee members arranged the press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, demanding Khaleda’s release from jail and her proper treatment.

“Khaleda Zia’s life and health have become very risky because of staying in an unhealthy atmosphere in jail for long. She is now struggling between death and life,” Sircar said.

He said proper legal processes were not followed in convicting Khaleda of graft in “politically motivated” cases.

Sircar, also a former Speaker of parliament, said the party chief was at a serious risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to “repression and unusual mental pressure on her in an adverse situation in jail”.

He said Khaleda could not eat anything, except rice porridge, for a few days due to blisters inside her mouth.

Besides, the BNP chief has long been suffering from pain in her left hand and arm, Sircar said. “But now the pain has spread into her right hand. She is suffering from severe pain in her both hands.”

He said Khaleda’s blood sugar levels were not coming under control even after using insulin. “She’s also in a very risky condition due to high blood sugar.”

The BNP leader criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for what he said her recent remarks that Khaleda was gladly taking payesh (rice pudding) and staging a drama in the name of illness.

At a programme in London, the PM told her party men that Khaleda would never be freed from jail, said Sircar. “Such remarks by a prime minister over the illness of an elderly and popular politician is unprecedented.”

The BNP leader said the home minister made an “untrue” remark that Khaleda’s blood sugar was under control.

He alleged that there is “no justice in the country as it is now under the grip of an authoritarian ruler”. “Keeping Khaleda Zia in jail without granting her bail is the manifestation of injustice and unfairness of the current regime.”

The former Speaker demanded the government immediately release Khaleda from jail, and allow her to receive proper treatment at a hospital of her choice.

Replying to a question, he said they have no plan now to apply for Khaleda’s release on parole.

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said the government was trying to shift Khaleda to Keraniganj jail from the old Dhaka central jail as part of a conspiracy.

Mirza Abbas, another member of the committee, said they would take effective steps at the right time to force Awami League to accept their demand of releasing Khaleda.

BNP standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Nazrul Islam Khan were also present.