Khaleda challenges govt move over court shifting

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the government’s notification to hold trial against her inside the Keraniganj Central Jail.

Barrister Kayser Kamal filed the writ petition on her behalf.

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

The Law Ministry on May 13 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 alleges 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 added.