Talking to reporters in front of the Jatiya Press Club after police foiled a human-chain programme of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, he hoped that Khaleda will be granted bail this time if the judiciary can work independently.

“Free Khaleda Zia from jail immediately as she didn’t commit any offence. Pushing Khaleda Zia towards death gradually by keeping her in jail is an inhuman offence,” the BNP leader said.

He further said, “Not only the government will be will be accused of coming that crime, but also the entire Bangladesh (if anything bad happens to Khaleda in jail). We all belong to Bangladesh, and no-one has the right to undermine the country.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Khaleda filed a fresh petition with the High Court (HC) seeking bail in the case in Zia Charitable Trust graft case, citing illness.

An HC bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq is scheduled to hear the petition on Sunday next. Khaleda has been in prison since February 8, 2018 as was convicted in a graft case.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said their party hopes that the High Court will grant bail to Khaleda so that she can receive advance treatment for her ‘serious illnesses’.

He also said they will free the BNP chief through a democratic way if the court denies her bail this time, too.

The BNP leader voiced anger that law enforcers did not allow Sramik Dal to observe its scheduled human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

Sramik Dal, BNP’s labour wing, tried to form the human chain around 10:30am demanding the release of Khaleda Zia.