Khaleda taken to BSMMU for treatment

BNP chief Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for treatment, report agencies.

The BNP chairperson was escorted out of the prison on Nazimuddin Road in Old Dhaka around 3:10pm on Saturday.

She was taken to the hospital in Shahbag from the prison in Old Dhaka under heavy security.

She will be kept in a cabin on the sixth floor of the Cabin Block of the hospital. Earlier, the authorities concerned booked room No 612 and 613 for her.

BSMMU director Brigadier General Md Abdullah-Al-Harun said a five-member medical board, headed by Prof Md Abdul Jalil Chowdhury, was formed as per the court order.

The doctors of the medical board examined Khaleda Zia's health and completed necessary formalities for providing treatment to her after she was taken to the hospital, he said.

The medical board will hold a meeting at 1 pm today (Sunday) to take a decision about her treatment, he added.

A police car brought the BNP chief out of the prison. The convoy also included police and RAB vehicles and an ambulance.

The convoy arrived at the hospital around 3:45pm. Khaleda, wearing a pink sari, stepped down from the vehicle and sat down in a wheelchair. She was then taken to the sixth floor of the hospital's cabin block.

BSMMU director Brigadier General Harun-Ur-Rashid and other physicians were present when the jeep carrying Khaleda reached the hospital gate.

Earlier, Jail Superintendent Iqbal Kabir of Keraniganj Central Jail met Khaleda in the morning.

The High Court on Thursday directed the government to immediately admit Khaleda Zia to the BSMMU and form a five-member medical board afresh for her treatment.

Khaleda Zia was in the erstwhile Dhaka Central Jail at Nazimuddin Road since she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 08.

On September 16, a medical board formed by the government for jailed Khaleda, suggested admitting her to a hospital like BSMMU though they have found 'no symptom of any serious disease' in her.

On April 07 last, Khaleda Zia underwent some medical tests at the BSMMU because of her illness. BNP has been demanding that Khaleda be shifted to United Hospital in the city for her better treatment.

Many BNP activists were at the hospital to see Khaleda, but were blocked from approaching her by police.

Mohila Dal activists chanted slogans calling for Khaleda's release.

Several BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Moudud Ahmed and Mirza Abbas, were also present at the hospital.

Journalists had gathered at the prison since Saturday morning, but no additional law enforcement had been seen in the area.

Law enforcers began to arrive at the scene as the day wore on.

A Fire Service truck was parked before the gates to the prison. RAB patrol vehicles were also seen in the area. Traffic was slowly brought to a halt.