The High Court Division of the Supreme Court yesterday extended for one year its earlier orders that granted bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in two separate defamation cases.

The HC bench of Justice Muhammad Abdul Hafiz and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo passed the orders following two separate petitions filed by Khaleda seeking extension of the earlier orders of bail.

However, Khaleda cannot get released from jail as she is convicted in two corruption cases. Earlier on June 18 this year, the HC bench led by Muhammad Abdul Hafiz granted six months’ bail in the same defamation cases. Barrister Kayser Kamal appeared for Khaleda Zia.

AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a pro-AL organisation, filed the cases in 2014 and 2017 against Khaleda Zia on charges of hurting religious sentiments of Muslims and making derogatory comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Meanwhile yesterday, the Appellate Division of the SC deferred until November 28 the hearing of an appeal filed by Khaleda Zia, challenging the HC order that rejected her bail petition in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain said the apex court bench of all seven members will hear the appeal on November 28.