Khaleda’s Bail Prayer: BSMMU submits report to HC

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University yesterday submitted a report on the medical treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to the High Court as per its earlier order.

An official of the university brought the report to the court, Md Saifur Rahman, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, told The Daily Star.

But he could not say about the contents of the report. 

On February 22, the HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq sought information about the medical treatment of Khaleda, who is now in the prison cell of BSMMU.

During the hearing of the BNP chief's bail petition, the court ordered the BSMMU vice-chancellor to submit the report to it by 5:00pm yesterday through the SC registrar general's office. 

The court asked the VC to mention in the report whether Khaleda consented to "advanced" treatment.

If she agreed, the VC will have to mention in the report whether the medical board concerned had started her treatment. 

The VC will have to state in the report her latest health condition if the medical board has started her treatment, the HC bench said in the order. 

The court also set today for hearing the bail petition in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. 

On August 8, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission lodged the case with Tejgaon Police Station against four people, including Khaleda. They were accused of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

A special court in Dhaka jailed Khaleda and three others for seven years in the case on October 29, 2018.  

Khaleda landed in jail after being sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by the same court on February 8, 2018.   

On October 30, 2018, the HC enhanced her punishment to 10 years in the case after dismissing her appeal.