‘Govt goodwill must for Khaleda’s release’
Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF), a body of pro-BNP lawyers, yesterday demanded that the government suspend the jail sentence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and release her for treatment at home or abroad.
As per Section 401(1) of the CrPC, the government has the power to suspend any punishment of a person without condition, said BJAF convener Khandker Mahbub Hossain. “The government’s goodwill is necessary for this,” he said.
He made the demand at a press conference organised by BJAF at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium.
Advocate Khandker Mahbub said Khaleda Zia has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Charitable Trust case and she has been kept detained for two years.
“As an old and sick woman, she deserves bail under the existing law. But it is unfortunate that the apex court has rejected her bail petition. Therefore, we feel that people’s faith in the judiciary has been damaged,” he said.
Khandker Mahbub, a vice chairperson of BNP, said Khaleda needs advanced treatment but no steps have been taken in this regard. He announced to stage demonstration at all bar premises on Monday to realise their demands.
BJAF leaders Zainul Abedin, AJ Mohammad Ali and Ruhul Quddus Kazal were also present at the event.
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