The High Court (HC) yesterday observed that Tarique Rahman is seriously ill and should be sent abroad for treatment.

An HC bench made the observation after examining the medical reports of Tkrique, elder son of the detained former premier Khaleda Zia.

The HC also rejected the petition filed by detained BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman for quashing the proceedings against him in the case of Tk 21-crore bribery following the murder of Humayun Kabir Sabbir, a director of Bashundhara Group.

The bench, comprised of Justice FROM PAGE 1

Sharifuddin Chaklader and Justice Md Emdadul Haque Azad, however, stayed the trial proceedings against Tarique in this case till August 12 and also permined Tarique to file an appeal with the Supreme Court (SC) against the HC order and for bail in this case.

The court cited earlier examples where several accused - including Awami League President and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the party Secretary General Abdul Jalil - were released on parole and Mohammad Nasim and Sigma Huda were granted bail in cases on health grounds.

This is our observation. It is now the concern of the government whether they will carry out the observation as an order or not." the court continued, saying that in developed countries the observation of the court is generally regarded as an order.

The HC earlier on August 4 directed Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) counsel advocate Anisul Huq to produce the medical reports of Tarique Rahman by August 7 for examination of those.

However Huq was not able to produce the medical reports in court yesterday, as he could not get hold of them from authorities concerned.

Tarique's counsels barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia and barrister Mahoubuddin Khokon, however, submitted his medical reports to the HCbench.

Abul Kashem, deputy assistant director of the KC£. filed the bribery case with Rarnna Police Station on October 4 last year, accusing six people including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar. The ACC on May 6 pressed charges against Tarique Rahman, Lutfozzaman Babar and six others in thecase.

Ihe case is pending in the special court of Judge Shahed Noor Uddin set up on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban

Tarique Rahman filed the quashm'ent petition with the HC on May 25. In the petition he also prayed for bail in the case against him.