The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Lawyers of detained BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia are taking preparation to submit petitions to the higher courts for her bail.

The lawyers are taking the initiative as the BNP Chairperson has already conveyed to the authorities concerned that she would not apply for her release on parole or on the basis of executive order, reliable source said.

According to the sources, Begum Khaleda Zia thinks that she is eligible to get release in all the four graft cases filed against her. The cases are NIKO, GATCO, Boropukuria Coalmine and Zia Orphanage.

The BNP Chairperson has to choose parole, like another prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, or get bail from court for her release.

"We are trying to ensure the release of Madam Khaleda Zia through higher courts since she made it clear that she would not apply for getting release on parole or on the basis of executive order," said Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, a lawyer of the BNP Chairperson.

He said the lawyers have started the procedures to submit bail petitions to free Begum Zia, who was arrested on September 3 last year, one after another to the higher courts.

Sources in the Government said though the procedure for the release of Begum Zia was at the final stage as stated by several Advisers to the Caretaker Government, it is being delayed since she has been refusing to apply to this end.

The Government could consider the matter even if any relative or lawyer would have applied on her behalf for her release source added.

Begum Zia's another lawyer Shimul Biswas told The New Nation earlier that no decision was taken by her lawyers or her family members to apply for her release.

Advocate Azam Khan said they would file bail petition after facing all the four cases in the judge courts first.

The former prime minister has already been denied bail at least in two cases including the Zia Orphanage graft case.

Meanwhile, former BNP lawmakers have been taking initiative to mobilise party's rank and file to get united to free their party chief.

A series of meetings have already been held to discuss the issue of releasing Begum Zia and consolidating the party unity before the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Talking to reporters former MP Shah Nurul Kabir Shahin claimed that progress has been achieved though holding meetings.

BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, a pro-reformist leader, told the reporters that they are ready to extend their cooperation in freeing the party Chairperson if they have been ensured about the unity of the party.

He argued that BNP leaders should hold more meetings to ensure the release of Begum Zia like the AL leaders who held series of meetings before freeing their party chief Sheikh Hasina.