Arson Case: SC clears way for trial of Khaleda Zia

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for a lower court to resume trial of an arson case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 77 others of the 20-party alliance.

The case was filed in connection with instigating a grisly arson attack on a bus on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Chauddagram that left seven passengers dead and around 30 others injured on February 3, 2015.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Hasan Foez Siddique yesterday stayed a High Court order that halted the trial.

The apex court passed the order following a leave to appeal petition filed by the government challenging the HC stay order.

Justice Hasan Foez Siddique also sent the leave to appeal petition to the full bench of the Appellate Division for hearing on March 29.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told The Daily Star that there is no legal bar for the Comilla court to resume the trial of the case now.

The apex court passed the order on ground that the HC halted the trial against all 78 accused following the petition filed by a single accused.

The case was filed on February 3, 2015 with Chauddagram police in Comilla after the seven people had died in a petrol bomb attack on the bus.

Law enforcers pressed charges in the case against Khaleda and the others of the BNP-led 20 party alliance on March 2 last year.

The HC on October 25 stayed the trial proceedings following the petition filed by BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed and issued a rule asking the government to explain why the trial should not be scrapped.

The government has recently filed the leave to appeal petition with the SC challenging the HC order.