For nearly six months now, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is in the old jailhouse in Dhaka serving her five-year prison term after conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Her appeal against the conviction is being heard in High Court, which has granted her bail until Oct 3.
However, she faces trials in 36 other charges and can be released from jail if granted bail in two cases.
The three-time prime minister is being tried in four other graft cases brought by the Anti-Corruption Commission — The Zia Charitable Trust graft case, GATCO, Barapukuria coal mine and Niko.
She is also facing charges of murder, violence and treason in twelve cases — nine with the the Darus Salam police station and three by the Jatrabari police.
Khaleda is named in four cases under the Explosives Act — one each in Dhaka’s Gulshan police station and Khulna while two others with the Chauddagram police in Cumilla.
Three cases— two in Dhaka and the other in Narail — have been filed against her on libel charges while she is being tried in Dhaka court for Tk 450 million loan default.
“Bails in the two cases filed in Cumilla will pave the way for her release from jail,” Khaleda’s counsel Sanaullah Mia told Bangla Tribune.
On Feb 3, 2015 a bus was firebombed on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway at Chauddagram during a long-term strike called by the BNP-led alliance.
Eight passengers of the bus died while 20 others sustained severe burn injuries.
The Chauddagram police filed a case under the Explosives Act against 77 people, including Khaleda. Later, another case was filed under the Special Powers Act.
Khaleda’s counsels moved the High Court citing delays in hearing bail petitions in trial court.
The High Court then ordered the court in Cumilla to dispose of the matter as soon as possible.
According to counsel Sanaullah Miah, bails in these two cases will clear all the obstacles for Khaleda’s release from prison.
“However, the state moves against the High Court’s order and secure a stay order, then it will be delayed,” he told Bangla Tribune.