Comilla arson: SC to pass order on Khaleda’s appeal tomorrow

The Supreme Court will pass an order tomorrow on a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the government challenging the High Court order that granted bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a murder case filed in Comilla.

The case was filed on charge of killing seven people and injuring 25-26 others by setting fire on a bus at Chouddagram in Comilla on February 2, 2016.The High Court, on February 28, granted bail to Khaleda Zia for six months in this case.

On June 24, an Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain fixed Monday, July 2 for passing the order on the leave to appeal petition after hearing arguments on it.

During hearing on June 24, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam prayed to the apex court to scrap the HC order of bail to Khaleda, saying that the incidents of killing through torching the passenger bus took place at the instruction and instigation of Khaleda Zia and she cannot get bail in the case.

What message will reach to the victims and their family members if Khaleda is granted bail in this case, he told the SC.

Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain told the SC that the governments’ agents had conducted the subversive acts including torching vehicles during antigovernment movement in order to damage the image and prestige of the BNP chairperson.

There is no specific allegation against Khaleda Zia of instigating such activities, the lawyer argued.

Advocate Khandker Mahbub prayed to the apex court to uphold the HC order of bail to Khaleda.