Dhaka, Mar 17 (Just News): The production warrant issued against BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for her appearance in a Comilla court shows the government intention, says one of lawyers.
It's (production warrant) a politically motivated move. It's now obvious that the government has planned much earlier to keep former prime minister Khaleda Zia in jail, Zainul Abedin, president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), said this to Bangla daily.
Khaleda Zia will have to appear before a Comilla court on 28 March, according to the production warrant.
On Sunday (18 March), the Supreme Court will hear two petitions filed by the government side challenging a High Court order that granted bail to Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
"We never imagined and thought that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case would be prolonged," said Zainul Abedin, also vice chairman of the BNP.
Another lawyer of Khaleda Zia and also BNP vice chairman, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said it was expected that the High Court would grant bail as soon as the bail petition was filed.
He mentioned that the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court never interferes in granting bail, rather releases issuing no order.
But, he pointed out, in Khaleda Zia case, the Appellate Division told the government to submit a leave petition.
Khaleda Zia's lawyers think the matter now depends on the ‘government’s will’ rather than the performance of the lawyers.
They conveyed to key leaders of the BNP that the bail of BNP chairperson now depends on the government willingness or unwillingness.
BNP leaders and lawyers engaged in Zia Orphanage Trust case did not anticipate that the government would be so tough to confine Khaleda Zia.
Khaleda Zia release no longer depends merely on the bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, they said. Five more cases have now been brought to the fore. Khaleda Zia is also facing Zia Charitable Trust graft case, which is at the final stage.
They, however, hoped that Khaleda Zia's bail will be upheld by the Appellate Division.
On 8 February, a Dhaka court sentenced BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to five years imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust case.She was then taken to the old central jail at Nazimuddin Road in the capital.- Prothom Alo.
(Justnews/ys/2320hr)
