Khaleda’s bail denied in Comilla arson case

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail petition in the 2015 arson case of Comilla, filed under Special Powers Act, has been dismissed at the district court.

Comilla District and Session Judge’s Court Judge KM Shamsul Alam denied her bail after hearing, disposing the petition in line with High Court’s order.

Kaimul Haque Rinku led the hearing for Khaleda while public prosecutor Mostafizur Rahman Liton represented the state.

Earlier Monday, the High Court denied Khaleda Zia bail in the case and directed the lower court concerned in Comilla to hear and dispose of her bail petition by July 26.

“Khaleda Zia was denied bail in the case. Although her name was not included in the FIR, she was enlisted in the charge sheet,” Khaleda’s lawyer Rinku told reporters.

On February 2, 2015, eight people were killed and many others injured after a bus was torched in Comilla's Chouddagram upazila during anti-government agitation.

The following day, police lodged two cases -- one for murder and another under the Special Powers Act, 1974 -- with Chouddagram Police Station.

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 under the Special Powers Act.

Khaleda filed a bail petition with the Special Tribunal-1 of Comilla in the case on July 1.

Khaleda, who landed in jail on February 8 this year after a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five-year jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, is now arrested in six other cases filed in Comilla, Dhaka, Khulna and Narail.