Khaleda seeks HC bail in arson attack case

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday filed a bail petition with the High Court in a case filed under Special Power Act over the arson attack in Cumilla on 3 February 2015.

A HC bench of justice Md Shawkat Hossain and justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman is likely to hear the petition within 2/1 days, said Khaleda’s lawyer Masud Rana who filed the petition, reports UNB.

Earlier on 28 May, Khaleda filed a bail petition with a Cumilla court after she was shown arrest in the case but the court denied the plea and fixed 8 August for next hearing.

On 3 February 2015, eight people were killed in a petrol bomb attack in a bus at Jogmohanpur in Chouddagram upazila of Cumilla district during a movement enforced by the BNP-led 20 party alliance.

Three cases - one for killing, one under the Explosive Substances Act, and another under the Special Powers Act - were filed with Chauddagram police station against Khaleda Zia and several top BNP leaders.

However, on 28 May, the HC granted interim bail to the BNP chief in the two Cumilla cases.

Later on 29 May, the chamber judge of the Appellate Division justice Hasan Foez Siddique stayed until 31 May the HC order that had granted bail to Khaleda Zia after hearing a petition filed by the state challenging the order.

On 31 May, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court extended till 24 June its previous order staying the High Court order that had granted bail to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in two other cases.