Dhaka, Oct 4 (Just News): The High Court today directed the government to immediately admit BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for her treatment.
In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to form a fresh five-member medical board led by Prof Abdul Jalil Chowdhury of internal medicine at BSMMU and its physiatrist Associate Prof Badrunnesa Ahmed to examine Khaleda Zia’s health condition and to commence her treatment.
It also ruled that the rest three members of the medical board will be included excluding any present or former member or supporter of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, a pro-Awami League doctors’ organization and Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP doctors' association, said Khaleda Zia’s lawyers Barrister Bodruddza Badal and Barrister Kayser Kamal.
The HC said Khaleda Zia’s physiotherapy and diagnosis will take place as per her choice and she can involve any physician from outside of BSMMU for her treatment subject to the approval from the medical board.
Khaleda Zia can be visited at BSMMU as per the relevant rules of the Jail Code, the court also said.
The bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil came up with the order following a writ petition filed by BNP chairperson seeking its directive on the government to send her to a specialised hospital for her treatment.
On September 9, Khaleda Zia filed the writ petition on health grounds as she has been suffering from various illnesses. In her petition, she prayed to be admitted to a specialised hospital.
The government on September 13 had formed a medical team led by Prof Abdul Jalil Chowdhury for examining her health condition.
Other members of the team were cardiologist Professor Harisul Haque, orthopaedic surgeon Professor Abu Zaffar Chowdhury, ophthalmologist Associate Professor Tariq Reza Ali and physiatrist Associate Professor Badrunnesa Ahmed of BSMMU.
Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in prison on February 8 in the Zia Orphanage Trust case.
During hearing the petition on October 3, Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali told the court that the government has formed the medical board with the doctors of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, a pro-Awami League doctors' forum, for the treatment of Khaleda Zia.
Khaleda Zia may not get fair treatment from this medical board, he said.
He prayed to the HC to direct the government to send Khaleda Zia to a specialised United Hospital as per her choice for treatment.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam opposed the writ petition, saying that the jail authorities have taken steps for providing necessary treatments to Khaleda Zia.
(Justnews/ys/2110hr)
