Khaleda can partake in politics, but can't contest polls: law minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq today said there is no bar for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to engage in politics, but she cannot contest the elections under the constitution as she is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in two cases.

"There is no condition in her [Khaleda's] release order [saying] that she cannot do politics. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has suspended her jail sentence under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on health grounds as her physical condition was poor. She [Khaleda] is an independent person and therefore, there is no bar to her being involved in politics," he said.

The law minister, however, said as per Article 66 of the constitution, if any person is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more than two years for any moral turpitude, he or she cannot participate in any election within five years after serving the jail sentence.

Anisul made the remark while talking to reporters after attending as chief guest an orientation programme organised for newly appointed assistant judges by Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in Dhaka. Khaleda Zia has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case and to seven years' imprisonment in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.