The High Court has granted 6-month interim bail to BNP chief Khaleda Zia over a case filed over the deaths in a 2015 arson attack in Cumilla.

The bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman passed the order on Wednesday (Mar 6).

AJ Mohammad Ali moved the bail petition for Khaleda while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the State.

Earlier on Feb 27, the former premier’s counsels moved the High Court after a subordinate court in Cumilla rejected the bail plea.

According to the case details, eight people were killed and at least 20 others were injured when a bus was firebombed in Jogmohanpur area of Cumilla’s Chauddagram Upazila during the 20-party alliance’s movement on Feb 3, 2015.

Chauddagram police Sub-Inspector (SI) Nuruzzaman filed a case against 77 people over the incident.
Six senior BNP leaders, including Chairperson Khaleda Zia, were named in the case. Among the accused, three died and five were discharged from the charge sheet.

A three-time prime minister Khaleda is already serving a 17 year time for her involvement in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.