Tariqul Islam, 12 pro-BNP lawyers get bail

The High Court yesterday granted anticipatory bail to BNP leader Tariqul Islam and 12 pro-BNP lawyers including its vice-chairman advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain in 12 separate criminal cases.

The lawyers include advocate Abdur Rezak Khan, advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury, advocate Akhteruzzaman, advocate Ferdous Aktar Waheeda, advocate Taherul Islam Towhid and advocate Rafique Sikder.

The cases were filed with Paltan, Mohammadpur and Adabor police stations on charges of preventing police from discharging duty, blasting explosives, and holding illegal gatherings -- all of them surrounding a human chain for Khaleda Zia's release on September 11.

The HC bench of Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Mohammad Ali granted them bail till submission of the cases' charge sheets by police to the trial courts concerned.

Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain and advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury appeared for the petitioners.