Tarique, Koko granted HC bail

The High Court yesterday granted bail to Tarique Rahman and his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko, the two sons of detained former premier Khaleda Zia, in extortion cases.
Passing the orders on two separate petitions, a division bench comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeen Mominur Rahman and Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury also stayed the proceedings of the cases.
The HC bench also asked the government to explain why placing the cases under the Emergency Power Rules "should not be declared illegal".
"The rule is made returnable in eight weeks," says the identical order.
Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon and Barrister Nasiruddin Ashim appeared for Tarique, senior joint secretary general of the BNP, and his brother Koko--both in jail custody.
The two brothers are facing a number of graft cases.