The High Court today granted bail to BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury in two vandalism and arson cases, clearing his way to get released from jail.

In response to two bail petitions filed by Shamsher, the court also issued two separate rules asking the government to explain in four weeks as to why Shamsher should not be granted regular bail in the cases.

The HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Md Khasruzzaman granted him ad-interim bail till disposal of the rules.

Shamsher’s lawyer M Masud Rana told The Daily Star that there is no legal bar to his client’s release from jail following the HC orders.

Police filed the cases with Shahbagh and Chakbazar police stations on December 24 last year on charges of attacking ruling party's Netrakona-1 MP Chhabi Biswas, vandalising and setting fire to his vehicle and preventing law enforcers from discharging duties at Dhaka Medical College Hospital the same day.

Detectives picked up Shamsher from his Banani residence on January 8 this year in connection with the case filed with Shahbagh police station.

Later on, he was shown arrested in both the cases.