Khaleda’s sentence suspension extended
She can now stay out for 6 more months
The government has extended for six months its earlier order that suspended the jail sentence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and released her from jail.
The home ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard yesterday.
The notification said Khaleda will receive treatment at her home and she cannot go abroad during this period.
The government has suspended Khaleda's jail sentence as per Section 401(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) following legal opinions from the law ministry, added the notification.
The decision was made following the application of the family members of the BNP chief seeking an extension of the suspension of jail sentences as her physical condition did not improve.
The former premier was freed from jail on March 25 after the government had suspended her jail sentence for six months.
Khaleda walked out of jail at a time when the world has been hit by Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the prevailing epidemic, she did not even visit any hospital for treatment. However, doctors visited her at home regularly and gave treatment.
Khaleda landed in jail on February 8, 2017 after being sentenced to five years' imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
On October 30 the following year, the High Court enhanced her punishment to 10 years after dismissing her appeal in the case.
The former premier was convicted by another special court in Dhaka in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on October 29, 2018. She was sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment by the court.