The Supreme Court today stayed for eight weeks the High Court orders that granted bail to three Hefajat-e-Islam activists in three separate vandalism and arson cases.

The cases were filed with Narayanganj's Siddhirganj Police Station against three Hefajat men -- Faruk Hossain, Md Iqbal Hossain and Moazzem Hossain -- and several others for vandalising and torching vehicles during March 28 hartal enforced by Hefajat.

Today, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC, Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the stay orders after hearing three petitions filed by the state, challenging the HC orders.

The accused cannot be released from jail following the SC chamber judge's stay orders, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin told The Daily Star.

He said the apex court passed the stay orders as there are specific allegation against the three accused.

Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath represented the state.

The HC granted ad-interim bail to the trio on May 5 following separate bail petitions filed by them.