Khaleda’s bail in Cumilla arson case upheld

The Supreme Court has upheld a High Court order that granted six months bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in an arson case filed under the Special Powers Act in Cumilla. 

A four-member Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order on Sunday.

On August 6, the High Court granted 6-month bail to the BNP chief following a bail petition in the arson case. 

Later on the following day, the government filed a petition seeking a stay on the HC order. 

Earlier on July 23, the HC directed the Cumilla Special Judge Court-1 to dispose of the bail petition filed by the BNP chairperson in the case within July 26.

Khaleda's lawyer filed a bail petition with High Court as the Cumilla court rejected the bail petition of Khaleda on July 25. 

Eight people were killed and 20 others injured when miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at a bus at Jogmohanpur in Cumilla's Chouddagram upazila during the BNP-led alliance's movement on February 3, 2015. 

Later, two cases were filed against Khaleda in this connection.

On February 8, Khaleda Zia was sent to jail after a special court sentenced her to five years' rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.