SC seeks report on Khaleda's health

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has sought medical board's report on the health condition of BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia who is now serving a prison term in a graft case.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) has been asked to submit the report by December 5. 

The full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on Thursday passed the order after a hearing on Khaleda's bail plea.

The court also set December 5 to hear bail plea of the former prime minister.

Lawyers of Khaleda Zia moved to the Chamber Court of Appellate Division for her bail in Zia Charitable Trust graft case after she was denied bail by the High Court.

Later, Chamber Court sent the bail petition to the full bench of Appellate Division for hearing. 

Earlier on November 17, Chamber judge Md Nuruzzaman passed order to send the bail plea to the full bench of Appellate Division.

On November 14, Advocate Joynul Abedin Tuhin made the plea before the Supreme Court's unit concerned on behalf of Khaleda Zia.

On July 31, the High Court rejected a plea that sought bail of Khaleda.

UNB adds: On August 8, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the Zia Charitable Trust case with Tejgaon police against four people, including Khaleda. They were accused of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

A special court jailed the BNP chief and three others for seven years in the corruption case on October 29 last year. Khaleda later moved the High Court which increased her sentence by three more years.

The former prime minister has been in prison since February 8 last year after she was sentenced to jail for five years in a separate corruption case.

On October 6, Khaleda Zia was admitted to the BSMMU for better treatment in response to a court order.

On November 8, she was discharged from the BSMMU upon approval from the medical board formed for her treatment and produced before a makeshift court at old Central Jail in Niko graft case.

She is currently being treated at the BSMMU.