Khaleda’s bail stay upheld by Appellate Division

The Appellate Division on Monday upheld its stay on the ad interim bail granted to former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia by the High Court Division in a case of bus burning at Comilla during the nonstop blockade of roads and highways called by BNP in 2015. 
A four-judge bench chaired by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain also directed the High Court Division to dispose of, within four weeks, its ruling in which government was asked to explain why she would not be granted regular bail in the case.
The Appellate Division said that the stay on her bail would remain in place until the High Court Division disposes of its ruling.
The Appellate Division issued the directive after disposing of a government petition seeking permission to appeal against her bail granted on May 28.
The Appellate Division had at first asked the High Court Division to dispose of its ruling within two weeks, and within minutes following attorney general Mahbubey Alam’s request asked the High Court Division to dispose of the ruling within four weeks.
The Supreme Court’s ‘Long Vacation’ for 46 days begins on August 16.
The vacation ends on September 30.
Khaleda Zia’ lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain told reporters that the Appellate Division order means that Khaleda Zia would not be released before the parlia mentary elections.
Khandker Mahbub called it ‘very unfortunate and disappointing’ that Khaleda Zia was being set on the path of slow death without letting her avail of the medical treatment she needs.
She has been in the Old Dhaka Central jail since February 8. 
Today, a High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman is scheduled to hold an analogous hearing at which Khaleda Zia’s appeal to set aside her conviction in the Zia Orphanage case and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s appeal for increasing her five-year jail term in the same case would be heard together.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net