DHAKA: The High Court Tuesday granted ad-interim bail to former BNP minister Mirza Abbas in three cases filed on charges of vandalizing and torching vehicles during the June 27 hartal.

Also, the court issued a rule upon the government to explain within four weeks why he “should not be granted regular bail” in the cases in a bunch.

An HC bench comprising Justice Syed Mohammad Dastagir Hussain and Justice AMK Zahirul Haque came up with the orders.

Ramna, Paltan and Motijheel Thana police filed the three cases against him on charges of vandalism and arson attacks during the hartal hours on June 27, and the day before.

Advocate Khandakar Mahbub Hossain and Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon moved for Mirza Abbas in the legal battle for bailing out the ex-minister and BNP stalwart.

BDST: 1611 HRS, AUG 24, 2010.