BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has moved the High Court seeking bail in two separate cases.
The cases accuse the former prime minister of undermining Bangladesh’s map and national flag, as well as distorting the history of the Liberation War; and celebrating her birthday with fake information.
Khaleda’s lawyers filed the petitions after taking permission from the High Court on Tuesday.
Masud Rana, one of her lawyers, said the petitions might be put up for hearing on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad’s President AB Siddique filed the first case on November 3, 2016, with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court.
An arrest warrant was issued for Khaleda in this case on November 12 last year. Her lawyers sought bail for her on April 12. On May 17, the court fixed July 5 for the next hearing.
Khaleda’s lawyers then moved the High Court seeking her bail.
Gazi Zahirul Islam, former joint general secretary of Dhaka Union of Journalists, filed the second case on August 30, 2016. The court ordered Khaleda’s arrest on November 17 that year.
The BNP chief sought bail in the case on April 25, but the court fixed May 17 as the next hearing date. On that day, the court ordered executing the arrest warrant and fixed July 5 to deliver a verdict on the bail plea.
She then moved the High Court.
Khaleda’s lawyers have filed bail petitions in three other cases on May 20 with the High Court’s permission.
