The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Tarique Rahman, senior joint secretary general of BNP, has got his spinal cord broken, said Dr Idris Ali of the medical board yesterday.

Detained on charges of corruption since February last year Tarique is in prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The government has formed the medical board for his treatment.

Dr. Idris Ali told reporters that Tarique, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is suffering from acute pain in waist and neck because of broken spinal cord.

Asked about the cause of breaking the spinal cord Dr Ali said, "We don't know exactly the reason … It can happen from falling down, accident or owing to slipping."

DIG (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui, has rejected the allegation of physical torture in custody.

"There is no scope of torturing a detainee in prison," Major Siddiqui told UNB this evening. He said the jail authority has not yet got the medical report.

Terming the prison as correction centre, he said the jail authority always treated detainees with sympathy and humanity. The relation between prisoners and prison guards is very good in jail.

He said the jail authority want to ensure all detainees' healthy physical condition. That's why they admitted Tarique Rahman into the BSMMU on January 31.

Asked if Tarique's spinal cord was broken during police remand Major Siddiqui said, "I have no comment as I don't know about it."