BNP to challenge govt move: Moudud

BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed yesterday said they will soon move to the Supreme Court challenging the government’s decision of setting up a makeshift court in Keraniganj Central Jail to hold trial of the cases filed against the party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“We visited Keraniganj Jail yesterday (Monday) and found no atmosphere or necessary facilities there to run the court and ensure justice,” he told a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club.

“We think, setting up such a court is contrary to the constitution. The constitutional right of a citizen to have justice will be violated through it. We’ll very soon challenge at the Supreme Court the legality of setting up a court in Keraniganj Jail,” Moudud added.

Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme demanding release of Khaleda Zia.

On May 13, the government announced that trial proceedings of 17 cases filed against the BNP chief will be held at a special court set up in Keraniganj Central Jail.

Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka jail after she had been convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, 2018.

She has been receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for various health complications since April 1.

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said the government has started “hatching a new plot” to shift ailing Khaleda Zia to Keraniganj Jail from BSMMU.

He said their chairperson has become very ill as she was kept in an abandoned jail for a long time. “We blame the government for her illness and deteriorating health condition.”

The BNP leader said they are taking all necessary legal steps to free Khaleda from jail. “But we can’t succeed due to the government’s evil design. Even after that we’ll continue the legal process.”

Moudud urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready to take to the streets, as he thinks it will not be possible to have Khaleda freed from jail without a movement.

Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, BNP vice-chairmen Khandaker Mahbub Hossain and AZM Zahid Hossain, among others, addressed the programme.