Ayesha Sultana, the wife of former minister and freedom fighter Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, wrote an open letter to Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus seeking her husband’s release from jail considering his health.
Eighty-two-year-old Mosharraf Hossain, a seven-time MP and also a Presidium member of the Awami League, was arrested by Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) from his Bashundhara residence on October 27.
She said her husband, who was a scout team member under Yunus’ leadership at Chattogram Collegiate School, was accused in a false case with ulterior motives. The murder case was filed at Paltan police station in the capital on December 7, 2022. At that time, he was in Cox's Bazar.
Several cases were filed against him for incidents dating back three to ten years, and most of these cases were filed in the past few days, which were fabricated and filed in haste, she said.
Mosharraf Hossain has been suffering from serious physical ailments for the past few years. He had a major hip surgery at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) when he fell seriously ill a couple of years ago. But, due to a botched surgery, he cannot walk unaided.
His wheelchair was also not taken with him at the time of his arrest. An ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease and interstitial lung disease, aggravated by a Covid-19 infection, has weakened his respiratory condition. Due to his imbalance and Parkinson's, he falls down to the ground frequently, she added.
Neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons, pulmonologists, and physiotherapists involved in his health care in the US and Bangladesh recommended immediate treatment to address his health and prevent further deterioration.
The proposed treatment plan includes possible reversal of his hip fracture surgery, vigorous physical therapy, neuro evaluation to prevent further progression of his Parkinson's disease, and thorough follow-up of his interstitial lung disease. Moreover, he is suffering from various physical complications, including diabetes, heart disease, thyroid, and early dementia.
She said: “I and his two full-time assistants supervise his medication and diet.”
She said it was very unfortunate that she had to live with fear and anxiety at the age of 73, after 54 years of struggle and sacrifice in independent Bangladesh.
Engr Mosharraf saved Chittagong and its residents from the massacre of the Pakistani forces by blowing up the Subhapur Bridge during the Liberation War. Very few representatives of that time fought on the battlefield.
Ayesha Sultana said her husband was a seven-time MP and two-time minister and has repeatedly come back from the doom during attacks by opponents. “But he was not vindictive towards anyone. He did not harm anyone. He did liberal politics throughout his life. He did the Awami League’s politics. But when he was a public representative, he did not discriminate between parties.”
She said that during his career, he worked for the people of the country, Chittagong and Mirsharai. He has implemented numerous people-friendly projects, including the protection of agricultural land topsoil, the law to protect reservoirs, the initiative to establish the National Housing Authority, and high-rise buildings following the models of Singapore and Hong Kong. His brainchild is one of the largest economic zones in Asia—the Mirsharai Economic Zone, spanning over 33,000 acres where 3 million people will be employed. It is being implemented like the "Three Zero" concept that has gained worldwide popularity.
“I and my children did not find him in our family life. He always ran behind the development of the country. For the past two years, I have mainly found him in retirement due to his old age. But even at this time, I have to live a captive life.”
Despite the opportunity during the 1/11 changeover, Engr Mosharraf did not go abroad like many others and was detained for 19 months without formal charges, she added.
“In the current situation, he could have gone abroad like many others. Even after several threats of vandalism and attacks by miscreants, he remained in his residence, respecting the rule of law and justice.
“I believe that the government under your leadership will not tolerate false cases, illegal arrests, and harassment,” she said, addressing Chief Adviser Prof Yunus.