Comilla Arson Case: SC upholds Khaleda's bail

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a High Court order that granted six months' bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in an arson case filed under Special Powers Act in Comilla in 2015.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed a ''no order'' on the government's petition seeking a stay on the bail.

Following the SC order, Khaleda's bail in the arson case will remain in force, Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman, a lawyer for Khaleda said.

However, she cannot get released from jail as she is shown arrested in few other cases, the lawyer added.

Following a bail petition filed by Khaleda, the HC on August 6 granted her bail for six months in the arson case.

The case was filed under Special Powers Act after eight people were killed and many injured when a bus was torched in Comilla on February 2, 2015.

Meanwhile, yesterday HC heard for the 14th day an appeal filed by Khaleda challenging the verdict that convicted her in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

After the proceeding, the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur adjourned the hearing until 2:00pm today.