Govt examines how a convict can be allowed to go abroad: Law Minister

GBNEWS24 DESK//

The Ministry of Law is examining whether the government can give its consent to the application submitted by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s family seeking permission to take her abroad, said Law Minister Anisul Huq.

“The Law Ministry will inform the government about its opinion tomorrow (Friday),” he said while talking to Observer Online exclusively on Thursday afternoon.

Anisul Huq said, “Nothing is mentioned in the application about the law specifically permitting Khaleda Zia to go abroad. So, we feel the necessity to examine extensively how the government can allow a convicted individual to go abroad using its authority.”

In this regard, the minister recalled that Khaleda Zia is now outside of the court accepting some conditions after the government suspended her sentence using its power under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on humanitarian ground taking her age and physical condition into account. At present, the government can produce her before court if it wants. But, if she is allowed to go abroad, she will go beyond the jurisdiction of the government.

“So, it would be not wise to say or do something hastily without examining the government’s legal authority in allowing Khaleda Zia go abroad,” he said.

On Wednesday night, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger brother Shamim Iskander handed over a prayer to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal meeting at his Dhanmondi residence.

In their prayer, the family sought the government’s permission to take Khaleda Zia abroad for better treatment.

The prayer was later sent to the Law Secretary for his opinion.

The Home Minister later told reporters that the government would consider the prayer ‘positively if Khaleda Zia needed treatment abroad.’

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir discussed the matter with the home minister on Monday.

On Tuesday, a medical board, formed with 10 doctors of Khaleda’s personal medical team and Evercare Hospital, where she has been under treatment since April 27, suggested that the former premier be taken abroad for better treatment.

Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 twice in a month – on April 10 and April 24. Her blood report and CT scan results were normal.

It is learnt that BNP has completed all preparations to send Khaleda Zia abroad for her better treatment. Apart from hiring an air ambulance, other necessary preparations have also been completed. Physicians have constantly been monitoring the physical condition of the former prime minister at the coronary care unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the capital.