Staff Reporter :
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam has said that the government will consider suspension of punishment of jailed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia if she appeals.
The Attorney General made the comment while briefing journalists at his Supreme Court office on Tuesday.
“Usually the court suspends someone’s sentence after serving the jail term for a long time. The government under special consideration can suspend it. If they (convict person) lodge this kind of case then the matter goes to the government,” said Mahbubey Alam.The AG also said, “Those who serve in jail for a long time could get the opportunity under Section 401(1) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). If the defence can prove that she already served a reasonable period in jail then the government will consider this.”
Earlier on January 9, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum Convener Khandker Mahbub Hossain at a briefing in the city demanded suspension of Khaleda’s verdict to ensure her treatment.
According to The Code of Criminal Procedure, 401(1), “When any person has been sentenced to punishment for an offence, the government may at any time without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced excepts, suspend the execution of his/her sentence or remit the whole or any part of the punishment to which he has been sentenced.”
Khaleda Zia has been in jail since February 8, 2018 after she was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case.
She has been receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) since April 1 last.
Her party has been accusing the government of not providing adequate treatment facilities to Khaleda Zia.
