HC order on Khaleda's plea tomorrow

The High Court will pass an order tomorrow on a writ petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, challenging the government's decision to send her back to jail from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

The BNP chief submitted the petition on Sunday, seeking an HC order on the government to send her to a specialised hospital.

The bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil yesterday fixed the date after hearing on the petition, Khaleda's lawyer Barrister Kayser Kamal said.

The government violated the BNP chief's fundamental rights by taking her back to jail without completing her treatment, Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali argued.

Opposing the writ petition, Additional Attorney General Murad Reza produced relevant documents saying that it was not necessary to keep Khaleda at BSMMU.

“Khaleda was released as per the medical board's recommendation,” he added.

She was admitted to BSMMU on October 6 as per an earlier HC directive and taken back to jail on November 8.

OBSERVING FAKE BIRTHDAY

A Dhaka court yesterday deferred till December 13 the hearing on charge framing against Khaleda in the cases filed over undermining the national flag and observing “fake birthday” on August 15.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur set the date after Khaleda's lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder submitted two petitions seeking adjournment of the hearing.

In August 2016, Khaleda was sued by Gazi Zahirul Islam, former joint general secretary of Dhaka Union of Journalists for celebrating “fake birthday” on August 15.

The same year on November 3, AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a pro-Awami League organisation filed a case against her and former President Ziaur Rahman for “undermining” the country's national flag.

Ziaur Rahman's name was later dropped from the charges as he has passed away.