Cumilla murder case: Hearing on Khaleda’s bail plea Oct 3

A Cumilla court today fixed October 3 for continuing the hearing of a bail petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in connection with a murder case.

Judge Jalal Uddin of the fifth Cognisance Court set the date after hearing arguments from the defence and prosecution on the petition.

After the court proceedings were finished, Advocate Kaimul Haque Rinku, a defence lawyer for the BNP chairperson, told reporters that," We prayed for the bail of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the case and submitted all sorts of necessary certified paper documents to the court. But the prosecution is delaying the process repeatedly praying for time."

Another defence lawyer Advocate Taifur Alam said," The public prosecutor sought more time from the court to verify the certified documents. We prayed to the court to write down the cause of time prayer in order sheet."

Public prosecutor Advocate Mustafizur Rahman Liton said they need more time to review the documents submitted by defence, as it is a sensational murder case.

The case was filed on charge of killing eight people and injuring 25-26 others by torching a bus in Comilla's Chouddagram on February 2, 2015 during anti-government agitation.

The BNP chairperson has been implicated in the charge sheet of the case.

Following a bail petition, the High Court on May 28 this year had granted six months’ bail to Khaleda in this case and issued a rule asking the government to explain why Khaleda should not be granted regular bail in this case.

The chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the SC on May 31 stayed the HC order of bail.

Later, the Appellate Division of the SC extended its chamber judge’s order.

On July 2, the apex court extended the stay order and asked the HC to hear and dispose of the rule over the bail in four weeks.

On August 6, the HC rejected the bail petition of Khaleda Zia in this case.