“It’s our bad luck that the doctors of PG (BSMMU) hospitals, whom the people of this country respect and depended on, couldn’t give an accurate report. The government forced them not to present an authentic report,” he said.

Fakhrul came up with the allegation while speaking at a human-chain programme arranged by BNP in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the government’s decision of hiking the prices of power and water.

On February, the High Court rejected the bail petition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case based on a report of the BSMMU on her health condition.

The BSMMU authorities submitted a report on the BNP chief’s health to the court on February 26.

According to the report, Khaleda has been suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and arthritis but these are under control. She has also been suffering from back pain but Khaleda did not allow the medical board to provide advanced treatment.

Khaleda has been in jail since February 8, 2018 after she was convicted in two corruption cases, including Zia Charitable Trust. She has been undergoing treatment at the BSMMU since April 1, 2019.

Expressing anger over the court’s reception of Khaleda’s bail petition, Fakhrul said the apex court and the judiciary now cannot ensure justice properly as a fascist and dictator has now ruling the country.

He alleged that the government has kept Khaleda Zia in jail by convicting her in ‘false’ cases though she is very sick.

Fakhrul also accused the government of depriving Khaleda of her rights to get bail only out of its political vengeance.

He called upon all to get united to wage a strong movement to have her freed from jail.

Referring to a report of Khaleda’s blood test conducted on February 25, Fakhrul said her fasting blood sugar level was 14.5. “If such level of sugar remains regularly, it can affect heart, kidney and lung.”

As part of their countrywide scheduled programme, several hundred BNP leaders and activists joined the one-hour human-chain programme that began around 11am.

They chanted different slogans demanding the release of Khaleda Zia immediately, and revoking the decision of raising power and water tariffs.

Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Selima Rahman and vice chairman AZM Zahid Hossain, among others, addressed the programme.