Preparations underway for Khaleda Zia to be admitted to BSMMU

Preparations have begun to admit incarcerated BNP chief Khaleda Zia to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

An attempt had been made to make the move three months ago, but were stopped after Khaleda Zia refused to give consent.

This time the BNP chief has given her permission for the transfer.

According to Chawkbazar Police Station OC Shamimur Rahman Talukdar, she will depart the prison at 3pm.

Journalists had gathered at the old central prison on Old Dhaka’s Nazimuddin Road since Saturday morning, but no additional law enforcement had been seen in the area.

But law enforcers begun to arrive at the scene as the day wore on.

A fire service truck was parked before the gates to the prison. RAB patrol vehicles were also seen in the area.

Police were deployed at the Makkusha shrine by the prison and at the Bakshibazar intersection.

Traffic in the area was slowly brought to a halt.

Asked about the increased police presence, Chawkbazar Zone Police Senior Assistant Commissioner Md Sirajul Islam said that he had been assigned to the prison gate area from 12pm.

When asked about whether Khaleda Zia would go to BSMMU, a member of the police said, on condition of anonymity, that thus far she had agreed, but that it ultimately depended on her decision.

Previously BSMMU Director Brigadier General Md Abdullah-Al-Harun had said the BNP chairperson would be taken to the hospital on Friday.

“The prison authorities have said they will bring her today,” he told bdnews24.com. “We are making preparations.”

The 73-year-old former prime minister is the only inmate at the prison on Nazimuddin Road.

She has been there since Feb 8, when she was sentenced to five years in jail over the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Khaleda Zia had been taken to BSMMU in April for medical tests.

The BNP has repeatedly called for the party chief to be transferred to United Hospital for treatment, but the government has proposed that she be taken to BSMMU.

The BNP had not accepted the proposal and prison authorities indicated that Khaleda Zia had also objected.

The High Court instructed that Khaleda Zia be admitted to BSMMU on Thursday. Khaleda’s lawyer and BNP Joint Secretary General Mahbub Uddin Khokon had agreed to the decision.

“Madam’s condition is very poor. The court has ordered swift action to be taken.”

Khaleda’s medical treatment has been a matter of discussion in political circles for some time. The BNP claims that the government is not providing her with proper treatment. The government claims that the BNP is ‘playing politics’ with her treatment.

A petition had been made to the High Court to admit Khaleda Zia to a specialised hospital and a special medical board be formed for her care.

The High Court ordered her swift admittance to BSMMU and the re-formation of a five-member medical board to oversee her care.