The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, yesterday, extended its earlier order that stayed the High Court order granting bail to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in a murder case lodged in Comilla in 2015. The apex court, however, asked the High Court to hear and dispose of the rule over the bail within four weeks. It also said that the stay on the bail of Khaleda Zia would continue until the High Court disposes the rule. The case was filed on charges of killing seven people and injuring 25-26 others by torching a bus in Comilla's Chouddagram on February 2, 2015.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, yesterday, came up with the order, following a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the government challenging the High Court’s bail order.
Khaleda Zia’s lawyers told reporters that the Appellate Division order sealed her release from jail as the Supreme Court will resume working after a 46-day-long vacation, on August 16.
On May 28 this year, the High Court granted six months' bail to Khaleda in this case and issued a rule asking the government to explain why Khaleda should not be granted a regular bail in this case. The Supreme Court, on May 31, stayed the High Court order.
On February 8, the Special Judge’s Court-5 of Dhaka sentenced Khaleda to five years’ rigorous imprisonment after finding her guilty in the graft case. Since then, Khaleda Zia has been languishing in jail. The BNP chairperson is currently facing a total of 36 cases.
UNB adds: BNP leaders and activists will stage rallies across the country, including in the capital, on Thursday protesting the Supreme Court order upholding its stay on bail granted by the High Court to Khaleda Zia in a murder case filed in Cumilla.
They will also observe a token hunger strike on July 9 all over the country, including Dhaka, demanding Khaleda's release from jail and her better medical treatment. Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.