SC sets Aug 12 to decide on stay of Khaleda's bail

The Supreme Court yesterday fixed August 12 for passing an order on a petition filed by the government seeking a stay on the High Court order that granted bail to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in an arson case filed in Comilla under the Special Powers Act, 1974 in 2015.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain set the date after concluding hearing on the petition.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam argued for the government while Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali, and Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for Khaleda Zia.

The HC on August 6 granted six months' bail to Khaleda Zia in the arson case.The following day, the government filed the petition with the SC seeking a stay on the HC order of bail.

HC ADJOURNS HEARING

Yesterday, the HC heard for the 14th day the appeal filed by Khaleda challenging the lawyer court verdict that convicted her in this case.

After concluding yesterday's proceeding, the bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur adjourned the hearing on the appeal until 10:30am on August 12.

KHALEDA SEEKS BAIL

Meanwhile yesterday, Khaleda Zia filed a petition with the HC seeking bail in a defamation case filed in Narail for making derogatory remarks on martyrs of the Liberation War and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The HC may hold hearing on the bail petition on August 12, Barrister Kayser Kamal, a lawyer for Khaleda, told The Daily Star.