The High Court (HC) yesterday resumed hearing on an appeal filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, challenging the trial court's verdict that sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. 

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman heard on the appeal for the 16th day and set today's date for continuing the hearing.

ACC's lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan placed arguments before the bench as Khaleda's lawyers were not present during the hearing. 

Earlier on August 13, the bench adjourned the hearing till yesterday and extended Khaleda's bail till today as the Supreme Court went on vacation from August 15.

On March 12, HC granted four months' interim bail to the BNP chief in the case, which expired on July 12 and has been extended five times so far. 

Meanwhile, the BNP chief yesterday also filed a bail petition with the HC in connection with the arson case filed under Special Powers Act in Cumilla in 2015.

The HC is yet to fix a date for hearing on the petition, said Khaleda's lawyer Barrister Kayser Kamal.   

A Cumilla court on September 13 rejected bail to the former prime minister in the case filed over vandalising a covered van in Chauddagram upazila during anti-government agitations in 2015.