The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday stayed for six weeks a High Court (HC) judgment that had extended for 20 days the parole of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
A three-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque passed the order following a government petition seeking stay on the HC verdict.
The apex court also asked the government to file a regular leave-to-appeal petition before the court within six weeks against the higher court verdict.
Assistant Attorney General Ekramul Haque Tutul said Koko will have to return to the country since his parole order became inactive following the SC order.
On October 11, the HC extended for 20 days its earlier order that stayed the government decision cancelling Koko's parole.
The court on the day also directed Koko, now in Bangkok for treatment, to file a fresh application along with his medical documents to the Ministry of Home within the days for granting him parole again.
Earlier on August 19, the home ministry cancelled the parole of Koko, and asked him to return home by August 31 and surrender before court.
Koko filed the writ petition with HC on August 24 challenging the government decision to cancel his parole.
MONEY LAUNDERING CASE
Meantime, a Dhaka court fixed October 31 for hearing on charge framing against Koko and Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of former shipping minister late Akbar Hossain, in connection with a money laundering case.
Judge Mohammad Mozammel Hossain of the Special Judge Court-3 passed the order after Koko's lawyer submitted a petition praying for adjournment of the hearing.
Koko was arrested on September 2, 2007 in connection with the Gatco corruption case and was later released on parole for treatment.
Another accused Saimon has been absconding since the case was filed against him.
The Anti-corruption Commission filed the case against Koko on March 17, 2009 under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.