Khaleda: Comilla arson Bail order tomorrow

The High Court will pass an order tomorrow on a bail petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in connection with an arson case lodged under the Special Powers Act in Comilla in 2015.

The HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman today fixed the date for order after holding hearing on the bail petition.

Even if the HC grants bail to Khaleda, who landed in jail on February 8 this year in connection with Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, in the arson case filed in Comilla she cannot get released as she is held in six other criminal cases filed in Comilla, Dhaka, Khulna and Narail.

Eight people were killed and 25-26 others injured after a bus was torched in Comilla's Chouddagram upazila on February 2, 2015. The following day, police lodged two cases -- one for murder and another under the Special Powers Act, 1974 -- with Chouddagram Police Station in this connection.

Khaleda, who stands accused in 34 cases, submitted the petition to the HC on June 5 this year seeking bail in the arson case filed the Special Powers Act. 

The HC today concluded hearing on the bail petition and fixed tomorrow for passing an order on the petition, Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman continued for sixth day the hearing on an appeal filed by Khaleda challenging the lower court verdict that sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust Corruption case.

The bench fixed 2pm today for resuming the hearing, Anti-Corruption Commission’s lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan told The Daily Star. 

The HC bench led by Justice Enayetur Rahim on July 18 extended till July 26 its earlier order that granted bail to Khaleda in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.