SC upholds HC’s stay order on trial proceedings in 4 cases against Khaleda Zia

The Supreme Court today upheld High Court orders that stayed the trial proceedings against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in four separate vandalism and arson cases filed in 2015.

The apex court, however, asked the HC to hear and dispose of the rules issued in connection with the cases.

It also asked Attorney General Mahbubey Alam to take necessary steps for HC hearing on the rules.

A five-member bench of Appellate Division of the SC headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain came up with the orders after virtually hearing four separate petitions filed by the state seeking stay on the HC orders.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath appeared for the state while Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Bodruddoza Badal represented Khaleda Zia during the virtual proceedings of the court.

Barrister Bodruddoza Badal told The Daily Star that the HC's stay orders on the trial proceedings of Khaleda Zia will remain in force following the apex court order.

The HC will hear the rules for their disposals, he said, adding that Khaleda, the former prime minister, is on bail in these cases.

Khaleda is accused in 37 cases and she secured bail in 35 cases. She has been convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases.

The BNP chairperson was released from jail following an executive order issued by the government on March 25 this year.

Following four separate petitions filed by Khaleda, the HC on April 13, 2017 stayed the trial proceedings against her in the vandalism and arson cases and also issued four rules asking the government to explain as to why the proceedings of the cases should not be scrapped.

The four cases were filed during anti-government agitation enforced by BNP-led alliance in 2015.