Responding to a habeas corpus petition, it also directed the telecoms authorities to restore the land phone connection at the former prime minister's residence, provided that she is not in arrears with bills. Secretaries of the home, defence, and telecommunications ministries, inspector general of police, director general of the Rapid Action Battalion are among the eight people made respondents to the HC rule.

Abdul Wadud Khondkar, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the petition Thursday, seeking a court directive for the government to end the reported confinement of Khaleda, desist from pressing her to leave the country, reconnect her phone line and allow relations, friends and well-wishers to visit her at the cantonment residence.

The hearing started in the morning and with a break for lunch continued till late in the afternoon.

The petitioner in his submission said some people in plain clothes have been obstructing the BNP chairperson's movement while the phone line has been disconnected.

He also alleged that the authorities put pressure on her to go abroad and they do not even allow her lawyers to meet her.

Additional Attorney General Salauddin Ahmed contended that no restrictions have been imposed on Khaleda's movement.

She is not being held incommunicado and no detention order has been issued against her, he said adding that she has visited different places including some of her relatives'.

One must follow some rules in case of movement in cantonment area. If she should avoid those she would better move out of the cantonment, observed the state's legal officer.

He said he does not know anything about matters relating to her telephone connection.

The court asked the petitioner to mention specifically who is barring Khaleda's movement. It also asked him to come up with her telephone number.

Wadud submitted Khaleda's land phone number when the hearing resumed after the lunch break.

At one point, the court asked him, "Who are you anyway to speak for Khaleda Zia? Are you a relative of her?" He replied, "I stand on behalf of the people."

When the bench said he does not represent the 14 crore people of the country, the petitioner identified him as a representative of Khaleda. He said she is his party chief.

About restrictions on meeting Khaleda, the court asked the petitioner to try visiting Khaleda and report back to it if someone had barred him or not.

Last month Khondker Babul Chowdhury, a member of the BNP national executive committee, too filed a petition with the HC, challenging legality of the reported confinement of Khaleda Zia. That petition has yet to be resolved.