BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was released from jail for six months following an executive order, reached her Gulshan residence, ‘Firoza’, on Wednesday afternoon after two years, one month and 16 days.
After walking out of the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) where she has been undergoing treatment since April 1 last year, Khaleda started for her Gulshan residence around 4:20 pm.
Though the roads were almost empty, it took her nearly an hour to reach Firoza as huge party leaders and activists escorted the vehicle carrying her up to Karwanbazar.
The government on Tuesday passed the executive order for her release upon two conditions -- receiving treatment staying at her Gulshan residence and not leaving the country.
Meanwhile, Firoza’, the posh home of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Road No 79 in Dhaka’s Gulshan area which turned into an abandoned house since she went to jail, has been prepared, de-wormed and sanitised for her comfortable stay there.
As the government announced on Tuesday that the 75-year-old BNP chief will be released from jail for six months, the house was cleaned, de-wormed and refurbished to welcome Khaleda, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB.
He said Khaleda’s personal physicians will provide her treatment at her residence. “We’ve made all the arrangements so that her (Khaleda’s) personal doctors can ensure her treatment at her residence.”
He also said it depends on Khaleda’s decision whether she will receive treatment at her residence or any hospital.
Until she went to jail in 2018, Khaleda Zia had been living in the two-storey rented house with a lush green lawn built over a bigha land, since April 2011 as had to 'leave her long-time home in Dhaka cantonment on November 13, 2010 following a High Court verdict.
A member of her security force said, “Most members of her security force have already reached Firoza. The entire house, including her bedroom, has been made neat and clean.”
He said Khaleda’s family members monitored the cleanup activities.
He also said Khaleda’s domestic help, Fatema, will be staying with the BNP chief as has been with her in jail voluntarily.
Khaleda Zia’s family recently submitted an application to the government seeking an executive order to have the BNP chief released for her treatment in London.
Her brother Shamim Eskandar, sister Selima Islam, and her (Selima’s) husband Dr Rafiqul Islam met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and made an appeal for her release through the executive order.
Under the circumstances, the former prime minister’s sentences have been suspended as per section 401 (1) of Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC), said Law Minister Annisul Huq on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda’s personal doctors will provide her treatment at her residence. “We’re contacting her personal doctors and taking steps to ensure her treatment at her residence.”
He also said it depends on Khaleda’s decision that whether she will receive treatment at her residence or any hospital.
Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018.
She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.
