Dhaka, Oct 6 (NationPress) Dipu Moni, who previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Social Welfare in Bangladesh and is a Joint Secretary of the Awami League party, criticized the interim administration under Muhammad Yunus on Monday. She accused the government of failing to provide medical care to detained opposition leaders.

In a remand hearing at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Moni referenced the recent passing of her former cabinet associate Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, who was also in detention and had been hospitalized multiple times before his death at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

"Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun died due to a lack of medical treatment," she asserted in court. "Do we have to die to prove that we are unwell?" Moni's statements were reported by the local daily Prothom Alo.

Her comments were made as law enforcement sought to interrogate her and former party member and MP Solaiman Salim regarding separate murder cases tied to the July Uprising.

Investigators from the Shahbagh Police Station requested a ten-day remand for Moni related to the murder case of Mohammad Monir, a small jute dealer shot during protests on August 5, 2024.

Defense attorney Gazi Faisal Islam opposed the remand request, seeking bail on the basis that Moni, who has been in custody for several months, is unwell and was implicated without substantial evidence, as per Prothom Alo.

When granted the opportunity to speak, Moni elaborated on her health issues and discontent. "I have not been well since last August. I need medical diagnostic tests for my brain health. Around September 9 or 10, I was taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital due to illness. However, not all medical tests could be completed there.

"Subsequently, a request was made to transfer me to another facility for further examinations. I was supposed to be taken there yesterday, but due to the absence of a police escort, it did not occur. I expected to go today, but instead, I was brought to court. Nothing is being done. I have been at Kashimpur Female Prison in Gazipur for over a year," she expressed.

Moni added, "They claim there’s no police unit to take me to the hospital, yet they managed to bring me to court. I am in search of justice. I am not receiving the medical care I require."

She also noted that she has been denied proper access to legal representation. "I face over 60 cases against me. Yet, I haven't had adequate meetings with my lawyers. In the past year, I've only been able to meet them three times," she stated.

"On court days, I request to meet my lawyer in the court lock-up to discuss my cases," Moni said, as reported by the newspaper.

Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi dismissed her claims, stating that meetings could be organized at the prison gate according to existing regulations.

After hearing from both parties, the court permitted police to interrogate Moni for four days. She was subsequently transported back to Kashimpur Female Prison in Gazipur.