Law Minister Anisul Huq has said that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is free to receive treatment anywhere in the country. She was released on conditions and she is now not in the government custody, he added
He told the Parliament, “She (Khaleda zia) is definitely free. She is not obviously in our custody or in government custody. She can receive treatment anywhere in the country as she wishes, and she is doing so.”
The Law Minister said this while replying to a comment made by BNP MP Rumeen Farhana who claimed in the House that their party chief still remains in the government custody.
Rumeen Farhana said, “If anything happens to Khaleda Zia, the government has to bear the full responsibility as she has been in government custody for the last three years. She is still in government custody.”
She said the Law Minister earlier argued that Khaleda Zia would have to go back to jail for going abroad as there is no scope for reconsidering a decided case in the same provision of the Criminal Code of Procedures. “But there is nothing like this in section 401 of the CrPC. The provision gives the government the unlimited authority to take any decision in this regard,” said the BNP MP.
BNP MP Mosharof Hosen said since the government argues that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia needs to go back to the jail to get permission for going abroad, the government can announce her residence as sub-jail and allow her to go abroad.
Replying to the remark, the Law Minister said he still stands by what he said in this regard. No decision can be given anymore over a decided case, he said earlier but did not refer to the section 401.
“I have the difference of opinion over what explanations you gave over Section 401 of CrPC,” he said, pointing at the BNP MPs.
Anisul Huq said Khaleda Zia was freed on humanitarian grounds and the government would consider whether the fresh demand over her could be accepted or not.