HC extends Tarique's bail for six months

The High Court (HC) yesterday extended for six months its earlier order that granted bail to BNP leader Tarique Rahman in an extortion case filed during the regime of immediate past military-backed caretaker government.
The HC also extended its order that had stayed the proceedings of the case against Tarique, senior vice-chairman of BNP and son of its Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The court passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Tarique's lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon on November 28 seeking extension of the HC's earlier order of bail and stay.
On April 1, 2007, Mir Zahir Hossain, managing director of Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd, filed a case with Dhanmondi Police Station accusing Tarique's business partner Gias Uddin Al Mamun and six others of extorting Tk 53 lakh from him in 2004.
Tarique was shown arrested in the case on April 23, 2007.
In August, 2008, the HC granted bail to Tarique in this case and stayed the proceedings of the case, and later on extended the order of bail and stay at different times.
Tarique is accused in 14 criminal cases and on bail in 10 cases.