Khaleda files new bail appeals in two cases

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's lawyers have gone to a judge’s court after failing to secure bail from a magistrate’s court in two cases involving the appointment of anti-liberation men as ministers and fake birthday celebrations on Aug 15.

The appeals were filed with the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court in the two cases on Wednesday.

Judge KM Imrul Kayes will hear the arguments on the appeals on Jul 31, said Public Prosecutor Tapas Paul.

Khaleda's lawyers Sanaullah Miah, Masud Ahmed Talukder and Nuruzzaman Tapan were present in court.

On Jul 5, two Dhaka courts rejected bail pleas from former prime minister Khaleda Zia in the two cases.

One of the two cases was filed by Gazi Zahirul Islam, former joint general secretary of Dhaka Union of Journalists, on Aug 30, 2016, against Khaleda for allegedly celebrating her fake birthday on Aug 15 every year.

Another case was lodged by AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a pro-Awami League organisation, on Nov 3 of the same year, accusing her and her late husband Ziaur Rahman of appointing anti-liberation men as ministers.