A legal notice has been sent to five officials, including secretary to the ministry of home affairs, for not allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to sign her lawyer-client representation agreement.
Khaleda's legal counsel Barrister Kaiser Kamal sent the legal notice on Tuesday to the secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, deputy commissioner of Dhaka, inspector general of police, inspector general (Prisons), and the superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.
“Khaleda Zia has been jailed for a long time. In many cases, she has been deprived of her basic rights as a prisoner. She has not been allowed to sign her lawyer-client representation agreement paper. It is her legal and constitutional right,” he added.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Barrister Kaiser Kamal said even last year, Khaleda had to serve legal notices to compel authorities to allow her to sign her lawyer-client representation agreement, which were made to file pleas seeking adequate healthcare, and appeals regarding election-related cases, among others.
“We complete these lawyer-client representation agreements in advance so that we can ensure her rights in court on various issues,” he added.
“If the authorities do not allow her [Khaleda] to sign the lawyer-client representation agreement within 48 hours, then we will take appropriate legal action,” Barrister Kamal said.
He also said even after submitted the agreement paper numerous times, the paper did not reach the client.
“On June 19, we had to inform the District Magistrate of Dhaka and the jail authorities regarding the issue. However, we are yet to receive any support from the authorities concerned in this regard.”
