Law Minister Anisul Huq on Wednesday said that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has to go back to jail first and file a plea to the government to be allowed to go abroad for treatment.
The law minister said this while responding to a question from reporters about allowing BNP chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment at a programme of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in the capital.
The minister said the case in which Khaleda Zia got jail term was filed by the caretaker government, not the Awami League government.
“Already, Khaleda has been released under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on some conditions, now there’s no scope to reconsider her release. She has to go back to jail first and file a plea to the government,” he said.
“Khaleda was released under section 401 of the CrPC and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved her plea on humanitarian grounds. The plea was disposed of and there is no scope to reconsider the disposed plea and you (journalists) know the government can’t do anything against the law,” he said.
Talking about Khaleda’s treatment, Anisul said Khaleda’s physical condition has improved and she is getting proper treatment there.
While responding to a question from reporters about the appointment of the Chief Justice, the minister said the President is the sole authority to appoint the Chief Justice.
“In Bangladesh, the President has the authority to appoint the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice without asking anyone else. The President will appoint the Chief Justice whom he will deem fit for it. I think those who’re now in the Appellate Division are all fit for the post.”
