BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia
Khaleda to return home from hospital this evening
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to return home this (Tuesday) evening from the capital’s Evercare Hospital after a long treatment for her various health complications.
“Doctors have decided to discharge Madam (Khaleda) from the hospital this evening,” her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.
He said Khaleda will leave the hospital for her Gulshan residence around 6pm.
Sayrul said the medical board, formed to ensure Khaleda’s treatment, will hold a press conference on her health condition at the hospital at 6pm.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Read: No legal scope to send Khaleda abroad: Home Minister
Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
The government still did not dispose of the application while ministers are saying the BNP chief has no scope to go abroad until she files a fresh application returning to jail.
Khaleda’s treatment abroad: HC likely to hear petition Wednesday
The High Court is likely to hear the writ petition filed on Monday seeking its directive on the government to let BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment.
The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman may hear the petition as it has been kept on the cause-list of the court, said Supreme Court Lawyer Advocate Eunus Ali Akond.
Read: Khaleda going through a tough time in hospital: BNP
On Monday, Advocate Eunus Ali Akond filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the government to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment.
The writ petition sought the court’s directive to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment as per article 11, 32 and 49 of the Constitution, Code of Criminal Procedures (CrPC) and the International Human Rights Charter declared by the United Nations.
Cabinet Secretary, Secretary to the President's Office, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Home and Law Secretaries were named as respondents in the writ petition.
Earlier on December 5, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment.
“As there haven many applications, including from lawyers, I think it is appropriate to come to a well-thought-out decision after examining all aspects and whether any scope to do something in any way,” he added.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
The BNP chief’s medical board members on November 28 said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 seeking permission to take her abroad for treatment.
Read: Writ seeks HC directive for Khaleda’s treatment abroad
Though the government earlier twice turned down such applications, it is taking time to dispose of the fresh plea of the BNP chief’s family.
On November 28, the Law Minister told parliament that Khaleda is now free as she is not in government custody.
He also said as Khaleda was temporarily released under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure based on some conditions, including not leaving the country, there is no provision in the law to allow her to go abroad now until she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
BNP leaders and pro-BNP lawyers, however, have long been arguing that the government has the unlimited authority to take any decision in this regard under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedures.
Khaleda free, not in govt custody: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is now free as she is not in government custody for sure.
“She [Khaleda] is definitely free. She’s not obviously in our custody or in government custody. Staying here, she can definitely receive treatment anywhere as she wishes, and she’s doing so,” he told Parliament.
The Law Minister said this in parliament replying to a remark made by BNP MP Rumeen Farhana who claimed in the House that “Khaleda Zia still remains in government custody.”
Read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP
“If anything happens to the leader, the government will have to bear the full responsibility as she has been in government custody for the last three years. She’s still in government custody,” said Rumeen.
She said the Law Minister earlier argued that Khaleda Zia would have to go back to jail for going abroad as there is no scope to reconsider a decided case in the same provision (section 401) of the Criminal Code of Procedures.
Rumeen said, “But there’s nothing like this in section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedures. The provision gives the government the unlimited authority to take any decision in this regard.”
Khaleda’s condition still critical: Dr Zahid
The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital with multiple complications, is still critical but it is not true that she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, said her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
He, however, said the BNP chief has been suffering from liver problems alongside kidney and cardiac ones.
“Madam’s condition is the same as before. There’s no noticeable change in her condition. We neither can call it a slight improvement, nor stable. In a word, she is still in a critical condition,” Zahid told UNB.
He said physicians have kept her under intensive monitoring in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital. “Various parameters of her health are fluctuating and are taking the right measures accordingly.”
Zahid said the BNP chief is very weak physically and she has to spend most of her time lying in bed. “She’s only allowed soft food.”
Syeda Sharmila Rahman Sithi, the wife of Khaleda’s deceased son Arafat Rahman, has been taking care of her at the hospital, he said.
The doctor said it is now imperative for Khaleda to go to any advanced centre abroad for the proper treatment of her multidisciplinary diseases. “All the doctors, including those connected virtually from the USA and the UK, are worried about her condition as they think she needs to go abroad as soon as possible.”
Read: Govt should allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad: Reza Kibria
About media reports on Khaleda’s liver cirrhosis problem, Zaid said the news is not correct. “It’s fact that she has been suffering from liver, kidney, diabetes, heart and other complications. But I don't know from where the media got the information that she was diagnosed with cirrhosis.”
Human chain in front of parliament
Six MPs of BNP staged a human chain programme in front of the national parliament on Sunday morning, demanding Khaleda Zia’s treatment in an advanced centre abroad.
Govt conspiring to end Khaleda’s life: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday accused the government of plotting to end the life of Khaleda Zia by not allowing her to receive advanced treatment abroad.
Speaking at a discussion, he said they will come up with more action programmes after observing a mass-hunger strike on Saturday across the country to mount pressure on the government to permit their party chairperson Khaleda to go any advanced centre outside the country.
“They (govt) are now conspiring to end the life of Begum Khaleda Zia after completely removing her from politics. That's why they don't want to give her a scope to receive treatment abroad,” the BNP leader said.
Read:BNP’s mass-hunger strike Saturday seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad
A faction of the National People’s Party (NPP), one of the components of the 20-party alliance, arranged the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking its 14th founding anniversary.
Fakhrul slammed Law Minister Anisul Huq for his comment that there is no scope to accept the application of Khaleda’s family seeking permission to send her abroad. “It’s a blatant lie.”
He said the government has the authority to allow the BNP chief to go abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC). “Even, the government can completely remit her sentences if it wants.”
BNP’s hunger strike at Nayapaltan
As part of their countrywide programme, Fakhrul said they will observe a seven-hour mass-hunger strike in front of their Nayapaltan central office from 9am on Saturday.
He said they tried to hold the programme in any other venue, but they did not get permission.
Read:No legal scope for Khaleda to go abroad: Law Minister
Fakhrul said the programme will be observed in all other metropolitan cities and district towns from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
The BNP leader hoped that democratic political parties, including the 20-party alliance partners, will express solidarity with BNP by joining the hunger strike programme. “We urge them to come to our central office. Let's strengthen the movement so that our leader gets the opportunity to get treatment abroad. From there, we will announce more programmes.”
He said it is not possible to remove the current ‘monstrous’ government without a united mass movement.
Fakhrul urged the political parties to get united to launch a simultaneous movement to ‘restore democracy. “Let’s work together and wage a movement for the release of Begum Khaleda Zia and protect the country and its people from the hand of the current regime. It’s true that the future generations will never forgive us if we fail to do so."
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
They also said she is now suffering from critical cardiac, kidney problems while her blood sugar is out of control and hemoglobin level in her blood has dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
No legal scope for Khaleda to go abroad: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Thursday said there is no legal scope in the present situation to allow ailing BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment.
“There’s no scope in the law. They can rebuke me as much as they wish but it doesn’t matter to me… I’ll follow the law,” he said.
The law minister made the remark as a demand was placed by BNP MP Gulam Mohammad Siraj (Bogura-6) in Parliament on point-of-order for allowing Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment.
Read: Khaleda fighting for life: Fakhrul
Pointing at Khaleda Zia, Anisul Huq said a convicted person was released suspending her sentence as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC) but there is no provision to reconsider an already disposed appeal in the section.
The minister said Khaleda Zia is getting treatment properly as per their statements. “It is up to them whether they’re happy or not with the treatment,” he added.
He said the BNP leaders argued that Khaleda Zia can be released for receiving treatment abroad on humanitarian grounds and raised some previous instances in this regard saying that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was allowed to go abroad in 2007-2008 despite having lawsuits against her. “But it’s not true as the Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) has never been convicted in any case,” he added.
Done enough for Khaleda Zia, says Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said she has given enough facilities to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia by allowing her to stay in her residence and receive medical treatment.
“She (Khaleda) has been allowed to stay in her residence and receive medical treatment by exercising the executive authority I have. The rest is a legal matter,” she said, replying to a question if she will take any initiative for the treatment of ailing Khaleda Zia.
Read:Fuel prices hiked in line with global market: PM
The Prime Minister was speaking at a press conference at her Ganobhaban in the afternoon on the outcome of her recent two-week visit to the United Kingdoms and France. Some journalists were also connected to the event virtually from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Isn’t it enough that Khaleda Zia was allowed to stay in her residence instead of jail and receive treatment there?” said the PM.
In a counter question, she asked the journalist whether he would receive a person with a garland who had tried to kill him and rewarded the killers of his family members by giving those jobs in different missions abroad and by not bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Khaleda has to go back to jail for permission to go abroad: Law Minister
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday said the government will consider BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s appeal to go abroad for medical treatment if she makes a fresh petition after returning to jail.
“No fresh order can be given over a solved petition anymore. If she applies again after going to jail, then we will consider it. But there is no scope to consider any fresh step under the section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in these circumstances,” he told Parliament.
The Law Minister said this replying to the remarks of BNP MP Rumeen Farhana during the discussion over a proposal to send the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Remuneration and Privileges) Bill, 2021 to the Scrutiny Committee.
Read: Khaleda critically ill, says Fakhrul
During the discussion, Rumeen demanded the government allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment considering her physical condition. The BNP MP said the government has the authority to give Khaleda Zia the scope under section 401 of CrPC.
Anisul Huq suggested Rumeen Farhana to see the decisions given under the same section of CrPC in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Khaleda discharged from hospital
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia got back home on Sunday from the capital’s Evercare Hospital after treatment for 26 days for various health complications.
She was released from the hospital around 5pm as per the advice of the medical board formed for her treatment.
The BNP chief reached her Gulshan residence, Firoza, around 5:35pm.
Earlier, her late son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman Sithi went to the hospital to bring Khaleda back home.
Read: Khaleda to return home from hospital this afternoon
Party senior leaders, including secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, received Khaleda at her Firoza house as she got down from her vehicle holding one hand of Sithi.
Later, talking to reporters, Fakhrul said Khaleda returned home as she is now doing well. “We express gratitude to the Almighty Allah.”
He said the BNP chief also thanked people for their prayers seeking her recovery.
Her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the medical board formed at Evercare Hospital again suggested sending Khaleda to any advanced centre for treatment.
"The doctors of the medical board of Evercare Hospital have again recommended Khaleda to go to any developed country outside Bangladesh for her further treatment, follow-up at a multi-disciplinary advanced development centre… she needs very good qualitative medical treatment," he said.
Like her family members and the country’s people, Zahid said Khaleda also wants her proper treatment. “That’s why she has urged you all to pray for her.”
He said Khaleda’s health condition needs to be monitored very carefully as she has many health issues.
On October 12, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health problems.
Read: Khaleda’s biopsy report sent abroad for review: Dr Zahid
On October 25, the BNP chief underwent a surgery and biopsy test at Evercare Hospital as she had a small lump in one part of her body. Doctors said the biopsy report did not show any signs of cancer.
The BNP chief has been undergoing treatment under a medical board formed earlier. Her doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
On April 27, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections.
She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Khaleda shifted to cabin from ICU
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city, has been shifted to a cabin from a surgical ICU.
“Madam (Khaleda) was shifted to a cabin on Monday night and she’s doing well. She was given liquid food in the morning,” Khaleda’s personal physician Prof AZM Zahid Hossain told UNB on Tuesday.
Read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but 'out of danger': Fakhrul
On Monday, Zahid said the BNP chief underwent a biopsy as she has a small lump in one part of her body.
He said the biopsy was conducted to detect the nature of the origin of the lump. After the biopsy, she was taken to the surgical ICU.
Asked when the biopsy report will be available, Zahid said it may take more than 72 hours to get the biopsy results.
He said Khaleda urged all to pray for her speedy recovery.
On October 12, Khaleda Zia was admitted to the Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health complications.
The BNP chief has been undergoing treatment under a medical board formed earlier. Her doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such an advantage.
On April 27, Khaleda was admitted to the Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.