However, the ex-army major will have to submit a written explanation along with his application mentioning why he had failed to appeal within the stipulated timeframe of 30 days after the High Court verdict. If the Supreme Court allows it, Mohiuddin will have to submit his leave to appeal through the jail authorities.

A trial court on November 8, 1998 sentenced him to death along with 14 other former and dismissed army men for killing Bangabandhu and 26 others. The High Court on April 30, 2001 upheld the punishment of 12.

Mohiuddin was sent back to the country on Monday from the United States after he lost a legal battle for asylum there. Upon arrival, he was sent to condemned cell at Dhaka Central Jail.

"Mohiuddin expressed his willingness to appeal to the Supreme Court," Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddique told The Daily Star yesterday.

He said that he had talked to Mohiuddin for a short time on Monday night when he expressed his willingness. "We are trying to contact Mohiuddin's close relatives for starting the process," Major Haider said.

A top jail official said that Mohiuddin spent his first night and day in jail mostly sleeping. His physical and mental conditions are normal, the jail official added.

He was served Gur (molasses) and bread for breakfast in his cell named "Rajanigandha," one of the cells for keeping the people condemned to death.

The jail official added that Mohiuddin slept till noon after having the breakfast. He was served vegetables and rice at lunch and after having it he slept again.