Comilla arson case: HC adjourns hearing of Khaleda’s plea till July 15

The High Court today adjourned till July 15 the hearing on a petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking stay on the trial proceedings against her in an arson case filed in Comilla in 2015.

The case was filed with Chouddagram Police Station in Comilla on charge of killing seven people and injuring 25-26 others by setting fire to a bus in the upazila on February 2, 2016.

The HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman passed the adjournment order today after concluding the day's hearing of the petition.

During the hearing today, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam opposed the petition saying that Khaleda Zia was shown arrested in connection with the case on July 1 this year and she (Khaleda) was absconding until July 1 as per law.

But, Khaleda Zia filed the petition with the HC for quashing and staying the trial proceedings of the case against her on May 27 which means that she filed the petition while she was absconding, the AG said, adding that an absconding accused cannot move such a petition before the court.

On May 28 this year, the HC granted bail to Khaleda for six months in the murder case and also issued a rule asking the government to explain why Khaleda should not be granted regular bail in this case.

Later, on July 2 the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court stayed the HC order of bail and asked the HC to hear and dispose of the rule issued over her permanent bail within four weeks.

Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for Khaleda Zia, who is now in jail after being convicted and sentenced by a Dhaka court in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8 this year.