DHAKA: The High Court Monday granted anticipatory bail to BNP leaders Shah Moazzem Hossain and barrister Rafiqul Islam Mian in a raft of nine sedition cases they are entangled in for their “threatening” speeches against the Prime Minister.

An HC bench comprising Justice Mohammad Dastagir Hossain and Justice AKM Jahirul Haque also issued a rule upon the government to explain within four weeks why regular bail should not be granted for the two leaders in the cases.

The cases were filed in Sirajganj, Bogra, Bhola, Narail, Munshiganj, Dhaka, Chittagong, Kushtia and Panchagarh districts on different dates on charge of giving `death threat to the Prime Minister` from BNP protest rally at Muktangan on July 25.

The court granted their bail until police submit the report in Sirajganj and the framing of charges in the rest districts.

After the hearing, the lawyer of the defendants, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, said the “politically motivated” cases were filed for harassing the senior BNP leaders. It is “against the rule of law”.

After securing the bail, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia said holding meetings and seminars is a democratic right of the people. “Now the question is does the government want to stop democratic activities?”  

The two leaders, however, said they had not given threat to the PM.

BDST: 1730 HRS, August 9, 2010