The High Court yesterday stayed the trial proceedings against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in three criminal cases, including one for murder.

The court also issued three separate rules, asking the government to explain why the proceedings of the cases against Khaleda should not be scrapped.

With yesterday's stay, the HC has so far stayed trial proceedings against the BNP chief in 12 cases, including one for sedition.

The HC bench of Justice Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice ANM Bashir Ullah came up with the order and rules after they heard Khaleda's three petitions seeking stay of trial proceedings of the cases.

Deputy Attorney General Shaikh AKM Moniruzzaman Kabir told The Daily Star that the government would move appeals before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for staying the HC order.

Of the three cases, two were filed with Jatrabari Police Station on January 24, 2015, against 68 BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders after an arson attack on a bus the previous day.

In one case, murder charge was brought against the accused as one was killed and 30 others were injured in the attack. In another case, the accused have been charged with explosions in the same attack.

The third case was lodged with Darussalam Police Station on March 3, 2015, on charge of vandalising a vehicle and torching it during an anti-government agitation enforced by the BNP-led alliance.

Trial courts later took cognisance of the charges of the cases after police submitted charge sheets to the courts.

Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali and barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for Khaleda.