Khaleda’s trial in Comilla arson case to continue: SC

The Supreme Court (SC) today cleared the way for the trial court to resume trial proceedings in an arson attack case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 77 others of 20-party alliance.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order staying an order of the High Court (HC) that halted the trial proceedings of the case.

Following a leave to appeal petition filed by the government, the chamber judge stayed the HC order and sent the petition to the full bench of the appellate division for its hearing on March 29.

The case was filed on February 3, 2015 with Chauddagram Police Station in Comilla after seven people were killed and 25 others were injured in a petrol bomb attack on a bus.

The law enforcers submitted the charge sheet of the case to a Comilla court accusing Khaleda and the others on March 2 last year.

On October 25 last year, the HC stayed the trial proceedings of the case following a petition filed by BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed, who is also an accused.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the trial proceedings of the case should not be scrapped.