BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to be taken back to jail after medical tests

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be taken back to jail after medical tests in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), according to police and doctors.

After staying in jail in the last two months on a graft case, she was taken to the BSMMU from the jail amid tight security at around 11:30am on Saturday.

After getting off the car, Khaleda boarded the elevator on foot and went to cabin number 512, which was prepared for her.

Joint Police Commissioner (Dhaka Metropolitan North) Sheikh Nazmul Alam, who was with Khaleda Zia’s convoy, said, “Our duty was to take her to the BMSSU. We have done that.”

After the medical tests we have been asked to take her back to the jail, he said.

In the morning, BSMMU Treasurer Ali Asgor Moral said a cabin at BSMMU had been made ready for the former prime minister at the request of jail authorities.

 “A medical board formed for her treatment will examine her condition.”

The 73-year-old Khaleda Zia is the lone prisoner of the jail in the old Dhaka’s Nazim Uddin Road, serving her five-year prison sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Dhaka Medical College Department of Orthopedics chief Md Shamsuzzaman heads the board formed for Khaleda’s treatment. Other board members are Dr Mansur Habib (neurology), Titu Mia, and Soheli Rahman (physical medicine).

The board examined the BNP chairperson in prison last week and stated at the time that her illness was not serious.

Khaleda Zia’s personal doctors had previously noted that she had heart, eye and knee problems and regularly took medicine.

On Apr 8, jail authorities denied a request from her personal doctors to meet her.

The BNP has expressed its concern over the party chief’s health. BNP leader Moudud Ahmed has claimed the board formed for her treatment was just for show.