Decision of waiving Khaleda’s sentence after discussion with law ministry: home minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that the decision on relaxing the bail conditions and waiving sentence of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia would be taken after discussion with the law ministry.

The minister made the remark while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after Khaleda Zia's family had applied for relaxing the bail conditions as well as commutation of her sentences.

Khaleda Zia's younger brother Shamim Iskandar submitted the application to the ministry on Tuesday, according to home ministry. 

In the application, the family mentioned that they could not arrange treatment for Khaleda during the Covid-19 pandemic and asked for relaxing the bail conditions and waiving sentence, said the home minister.

"We have sent the application to law ministry for further scrutiny. Once the law ministry gives their response, we would take decision after discussing it properly," he said.

"Our prime minister is mother of humanity. She always cooperates is situations like this," said the home minister.

The PM arranged for Khaleda Zia's stay at home with conditions to ensure proper treatment, said the minister.

Asked about family's request to send Khaleda abroad, he said that the request has always remained in the letter.

"She (Khaleda Zia) is still serving prison sentence, even though she is staying at home," he said.

Khaleda received treatment from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital specialists when she was in jail, said the minister.

As she (Khaleda) is suffering from arthritis, she needs continuous support to move about, he said, adding that she has had the difficulty before going to jail.

Considering such issues, the prime minister has arranged facilities for her, said the home minister.

While Khaleda was in jail, the BSMMU doctors she chose went there and they are still providing treatment at her residence, added the minister.