The High Court today granted ad-interim bail to BNP chairperson's adviser Shawkat Mahmud for six months in three arson cases.

The HC also issued three rules upon the government to explain in four weeks why Shawkat should not be granted regular bail in the cases.

The three cases were filed with Ramna, Khilgaon and Rampura police stations on January 10, 13 and February 3 this year during BNP-led 20-party alliance’s anti-government agitation.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Amir Hossain came up with the order and rules following three separate bail petitions filed by Shawkat, also former president of Jatiya Press Club.

Shawkat’s lawyer M Masud Rana told The Daily Star that his client cannot be released from the jail as he has been shown arrested in 15 other cases.

Also a journalist, Shawkat was picked up from the capital’s Panthapath area on August 18.