Lawyers of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday submitted a bail petition at a Comilla court in connection with a case filed over an arson attack and vandalism in Chauddagram upazila in 2015.

The court of District and Session Judge Jesmin Ara Begum fixed April 23 for hearing the bail petition.

The court also refused an interim bail prayer, said Advocate Nazmus Sadat, a defense counsel of the BNP chief.

Earlier, Senior Judicial Magistrate Mustain Billah of Judicial Magistrate Court-5 rejected the bail petition filed by Khaleda on April 10.

Terming the rejection “politically motivated”, Khaleda's lawyer said they would appeal to District and Sessions Judge's Court, challenging the lower court's order.

On October 10 last year, a warrant was issued against Khaleda and 78 others. The charge-sheet cited Khaleda a “fugitive”.

Meanwhile, a Narail court fixed May 8 for hearing on a bail petition for Khaleda in connection with a case filed over “derogatory comments” against freedom fighters.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Zahidul Asad of the Narail Cognizance Court passed the order following a petition filed by her lawyers, UNB reports.

On August 23, 2016, the court issued warrant for the arrest of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for her “derogatory” remarks on the number of the freedom fighters during the Liberation War.