Nasim applies for exemption from court appearance

Defence lawyer of detained former home minister Mohammad Nasim, now undergoing treatment at Labaid Specialised Hospital (LSH) in the city, appealed to a special court yesterday to exempt Nasim from appearing before the court during proceedings of a corruption case against him.
The condition of the Awami League (AL) leader, who was rushed to the hospital Wednesday following brain haemorrhage, remains "clinically stable", LSH told reporters at a press briefing.
The home ministry held several meetings yesterday and reviewed the legal aspects but failed to reach a decision regarding Nasim's release on parole for treatment overseas, said an official of the ministry.
The release of Nasim is a complicated matter as he is already convicted in a corruption case, the official said adding that the government is considering all options on humanitarian grounds.
"A handout is ready which may be issued anytime paving the way for his treatment abroad," the official said requesting anonymity.
Nasim's counsel advocate Sheikh Baharul Islam filed the petition under Section 540 A (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before the Special Court-3 on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises to exempt him from appearing before the court during the proceedings of the case filed in connection with the illegal setting up of 300,000 digital telephone lines by Worldtel Holdings Ltd.
Judge Shahed Noor Uddin fixed Sunday for hearing the matter and told the lawyer that if required, the hearing would be held earlier.
On October 8 last year, the AL leader was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment in a corruption case while his wife Laila Arzumand Banu, tried in absentia, was also sentenced to three years' jail for aiding and abetting her husband in acquiring wealth through dishonest means.
The joint forces arrested him at his Dhanmondi home on February 3, 2007.
LSH said, apart from the medical board, a physiotherapist has also been looking after Nasim since yesterday.
"Mohammad Nasim can communicate, he read newspaper yesterday and he was fed soft food," said Major (retd) AKM Mahbubul Hoque, co-ordinator and head of medical service of LSH.