SC seeks Khaleda’s medical report

The Supreme Court yesterday sought a medical report from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition.

The apex court asked the authorities concerned of BSMMU to submit the report by December 5.

A six-member bench of the SC’s Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain gave the order while hearing an appeal filed by Khaleda, seeking bail in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. She was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by a lower court in the case.

The bench also set December 5 for passing order on the appeal.

At the hearing, Khaleda’s lawyer Advocate Zainul Abedin prayed to the SC to grant her bail, considering her illness and old age as well as on humane grounds.

He said they got an unofficial report from the BSMMU medical board, which suggested for better therapy.

Khaleda on November 14 filed the appeal with the SC challenging a High Court order that on July 31 rejected her bail petition in the same case.

In the appeal, the BNP chief prayed to the apex court to grant her bail, saying that the case filed against her was “politically motivated”.

There is no evidence of corruption against her, she is 74 years old and very ill. Therefore, she is entitled to get bail in the case, Khaleda said in the appeal.

On October 29 last year, a special court in Dhaka convicted Khaleda in the case and sentenced her to seven years’ imprisonment in her absence. Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station on August 8, 2011.

The BNP chief landed in jail after being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by the same court on February 8. The HC on October 30 enhanced her punishment to 10 years in the case, after dismissing her appeal.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state and Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan stood for ACC.

During the case proceedings, additional law enforcers were deployed on the SC premises to avoid any untoward incident.

On Tuesday, two policemen were injured in a clash between a group of BNP leaders and activists and law enforcers while they were staging a demonstration near the SC premises, demanding Khaleda’s release. A number of vehicles were also vandalised during the clash.