Arson, vandalism cases: SC extends stay on Khaleda's trial proceedings

The High Court’s stay order on the trial proceedings against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in two vandalism and arson cases will remain in force for next four weeks.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Justice Hasan Foez Siddique today kept two government petitions seeking stay on the HC orders stand over (postponed) for four weeks.

The trial proceedings against the BNP chairperson in two cases will remain stayed following the apex court chamber judge’s order, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, a lawyer for Khaleda, told The Daily Star.

Following two separate petitions filed by Khaleda, the HC on May 7 stayed the trial proceedings against her in two separate vandalism and arson cases and also issued two separate rules asking the government to explain why the proceedings of the cases should not be scrapped.

The cases were filed with Darussalam Police Station on January 29 and February 4 in 2015 during anti-government agitation enforced by BNP-led alliance.

Trial courts later took cognisance of the charges of the cases after police submitted charge sheets to the court.

Earlier, the HC stayed trial proceedings against Khaleda in seven other cases including a sedition case.