A court in Cumilla has denied BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia bail in the case filed over the 2015 arson attack on a bus in Chouddagram upazila that left eight people dead.
After the hearing on the appeal for her bail was completed, Cumilla Senior Judicial Magistrate Judge Mustain Billah passed the order on Tuesday.
Khaleda Zia's lawyers Sanaullah Mia and Kaimul Haque Rinku confirmed the matter.
Later, in a press briefing, Sanaullah Mia claimed that Khaleda Zia is a victim of political vengeance.
"Khaleda Zia is innocent. We have evidence to prove who actually hurled petrol bombs at the bus in Jagmohanpur in Chouddagram" said Sanaullah. "Since the court has denied her bail, we will appeal to the Cumilla district judge.
"We hope the district judge will grant her bail," he said. "We will let everyone know of the date of the appeal later."
Previously, on March 12, the BNP chairperson's lawyers appealed for her bail and the withdrawal of her protection warrant in the Chouddagram case. However, the court postponed the date to March 28 because Khaleda could not appear before the court on March 12 due to illness, according to the state. But as Khaleda did not appear in court on March 28 either, the appeal made by her lawyers for the hearing was declined.
The court issued a letter to the Dhaka jail authorities to present a valid reason for her absence within seven days, which led to the new date of hearing.
On February 3, 2015, petrol bombs hurled at a bus in Jagmohanpur in Chouddagram killed eight passengers, all of whom burned to death, and injured 20 others.
Chouddagram police Sub-Inspector Nuruzzaman filed a case against 77 people, including Khaleda Zia and six other key BNP activists.
Firoz Ahmed, Detective Branch inspector of police and the case investigation officer, compiled a charge sheet accusing 69 people. Of the 77 accused, three have died and five have been excluded later.
Friday, June 05, 2026
