Jail Code does not say former prime ministers get division: IG

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been treated as a regular inmate because there were no particular instructions for former prime ministers in the Jail Code and no specifications on her incarceration in the Zia Orphanage Trust verdict, says Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin.

The BNP chief does not fit either of the two criteria outlined for the first class prisoner status, he said at a media briefing at the Prison Directorate’s offices on Nazim Uddin Road in Dhaka on Sunday.

Sub-section 617 of the Jail Code mentions division allowances for former presidents, but not for former prime ministers.

The Jail Code also states that MPs in parliament and the chief and principal secretary of their parties are entitled to the first class prisoner status. The prison administration has not given Khaleda the first class status as her party is not in parliament.

“The initial recommendation comes from the court,” Iftekhar Uddin said. “As the recommendation did not come on Feb 8, we have been following the Jail Code and treating her as a regular inmate.”

Asked if the former prime minister has had to wear a prisoner uniform, the inspector general said: “The Jail Code says she has to wear the uniform.”

A Dhaka Special Judge’s court sentenced Khaleda to five years in prison over the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Feb 8. She was taken to the former Central Jail building on Nazim Uddin Road immediately after the verdict.

The BNP has complained that the party chief has not received division treatment.

BNP lawyers petitioned the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-5 for division status on Sunday. The court instructed that the Jail Code be followed.”

“The lawyers have filed a petition,” said Iftekhar Uddin. “I have sent it to the ministry. I have also seen on TV that the High Court has issued a decision. We will proceed according to that decision once we receive it.”

Home Minister Assaduzzaman Kamal said steps would be taken once the court’s order was received.

‘Many unofficial arrangements’ were made due to Khaleda’s status as a former prime minister, he said.

Inspector General of Prisons Iftekhar Uddin has denied that Khaleda’s domestic helper Fatema Begum has been allowed to stay at the prison.