The petition seeking extension of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s jail term suspension has been sent to the Law Ministry for scrutiny, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Wednesday.
“We have got an application from the family of Khaleda Zia and it has been sent to the Law Ministry,” he said.
The minister said this while talking to reporters after a meeting on law and order on the occasion of Independence Day at the Secretariat.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Haque said that they had received the petition.
“We will send the petition to the Home Ministry with our observation and the Home Ministry will give its opinion on it,” he added.
The government earlier suspended the sentence, handed down in two corruption cases, in phases, last time on August 27 last year.
In response to the BNP’s demand, the law minister has on several occasions said that there is no scope of sending Khaleda abroad due to legal bars.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a subordinate court sentenced her to five years imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
The former prime minister was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both cases are politically motivated.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year under two conditions – she would take treatment from home in Dhaka and would not go abroad during this period.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then and was taken to Evercare Hospital several times due to Covid and other health complications.
During the time, she has not appeared in any court proceedings in nearly two dozen cases on health grounds.
Security measures for Independence Day
Talking about security measures ahead of Independence Day, Minister Asaduzzaman said foolproof security would be ensured as the president, the prime minister, cabinet members and other important persons would go to Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs.
Necessary steps would be taken to provide security to the diplomats and political leaders, he said. Besides, adequate security measures would be taken to ensure the smooth celebration of cultural programs in all educational institutions at district and division levels, he added.
Besides, vehicular movement from Nayarhat to Aminbazar Bridge would remain suspended from 4am to 7am on March 26.
