Khaleda challenges govt decision to hold trial inside Keraniganj jail

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Prothom Alo File Photo
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Prothom Alo File Photo

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia moved the High Court on Sunday challenging the government's move to hold trial in 17 cases against her inside the Keraniganj central jail, reports UNB.

Lawyer Kayser Kamal filed the writ petition on behalf of the former prime minister.

He said that the bench of justice Farah Mahbub and justice Khairul Alam might hear the petition on Monday.

The law ministry on 13 May issued separate gazette notifications about setting up a makeshift court inside Keraniganj jail and holding trial in 17 cases against Khaleda there.

The newly-constructed building-2 of the central jail was declared the makeshift court as per the sub-section 2 of section 9 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Criticising the gazettes, Kamal said that the constitution does not allow holding trials in jails or open space.

Khaleda, a former prime minister, has been in jail since February last year after she was convicted of corruption. Her party claims that the cases against her are politically motivated and accuses the government of plotting to keep her out of national politics - a charge the government denies.

Earlier this month, the home minister said that the BNP chief would be taken to Keraniganj jail after her treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

The old central jail, where she had been kept, will be converted into a museum, he told reporters.