Security measures have beefed up at the Supreme Court premises ahead of hearing of an appeal filed by the former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking bail in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Members of law enforcement agencies were seen taking a position in the court area since Thursday (Dec 12) morning.
Earlier on Dec 5, pro-BNP lawyers raised a ruckus causing all six Appellate Division judges to leave the courtroom embarrassed.
Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain termed the incident “unprecedented."
The incident led to CCTV cameras being installed within the Appellate Division courtrooms as well as the court limiting the number of lawyers being allowed during Thursday's hearing.On Nov 14, Khaleda filed the appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court order that rejected her bail petition in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Previously, Wednesday (Dec 11), three motorbikes were torched in front of three gates of the Supreme Court.
Three fire fighting units doused the fire within a couple of minutes.
Police suspect the incident to be arson as no one has claimed ownership of the bikes.
On Dec 4, the medical board formed by BSMMU for an update on Khaleda’s health condition filed its report with the university authorities.
On Nov 28, the six-member Appellate Division bench led by the chief justice ordered authorities concerned at BSMMU to submit the report before deferring the hearing of Khaleda's bail appeal until Thursday.
The High Court on Jul 31 rejected Khaleda’s bail petition in the case, prompting counsels to move the Appellate Division.
Oct 29 last year, a special court in Dhaka sentenced the former premier to seven years in prison on charges the BNP claims as 'false and politically motivated'.
The 74-year-old former prime minister was transferred from the old jailhouse on Nazim Uddin Road to the BSMMU Hospital on Apr 1 this year for treatment.
Earlier, the government formed a board with doctors from the BSMMU to examine Khaleda's health.
Khaleda has been in prison since February last year serving a total of 17 years in jail in the Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases.
