BSMMU sends medical report on Khaleda to court, Fakhrul doubts it

Khaleda Zia's health report has been sent to the top court from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University or BSMMU.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, however, has his doubts about the BSMMU’s medical board report on his party chief’s health.

He aired his concerns on Wednesday, a day before the Supreme Court is to resume hearing the former prime minister's appeal for bail in a corruption case.

Earlier, the court gave the authorities until Dec 11 to hand in the medical report before issuing the next order on the matter.

The report submitted to court on Khaleda’s health may be different from the one made by the BSMMU authorities, according to Fakhrul.

None from the SC administration agreed to comment on the BNP leader’s claim.

"I’ll not want to say anything on this matter. Please contact the Supreme Court spokesman. He’ll say whatever you want to know," said Supreme Court Registrar General Ali Akbar.

Reporters then went to the office of the spokesman, Saifur Rahman but did not find him there. When contacted by phone, he said, "I'm in a meeting, I don't know anything about it."

However, BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Kanak Kanti Barua told bdnews24.com, "We sent the report around 3:30 this afternoon."

Speaking at an event, the BNP secretary general said, "As far as we know, attempts are being made to replace the report made by the medical board."

He read out a report which, according to him, was prepared by doctors on Khaleda’s health on Nov 30.

"The report described Khaleda Zia's condition as being at a 'crippling stage' and suggested advanced medical treatment for her. The Supreme Court had asked for the report. But to date it has not been presented. "

"We’re quite clear that the government is working consciously to illegally confine the country’s leader to the prison and so, they’re committing a great human rights violation," commented Fakhrul.

The former prime minister was transferred to the hospital on Apr 1 this year for treatment from the old jailhouse on Nazim Uddin Road.

The government later formed a medical board with doctors from the BSMMU to examine Khaleda's health.

The former prime minister has been in prison since February last year serving a total of 17 years in jail in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases.

CC CAMERAS INSIDE COURTROOM

Eight close-circuit TV cameras were installed inside the courtroom of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The move came after pro-BNP lawyers stirred up a ruckus in the Supreme Court on Dec 5, demanding an earlier date for the hearing of Khaleda’s bail appeal in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.