DHAKA: The High Court stayed for 40 days the government decision canceling the parole of Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of BNP chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia.

An HC bench of Justice MA Wahhab Miah and Justice Kazi Rezaul Haque passed the order in response to a writ petition filed on behalf of Coco.

The court also issued a rule upon the government to explain why this decision “should not be declared illegal”.

The HC bench also asked Coco to report to the embassy of Bangladesh in Thailand every three days. In default, his parole will “automatically stand cancelled”.

Coco and his elder Tarique Rahman were set free from jail at the fag-end of the past military-backed interim regime for their treatment abroad.

Coco is in Thailand while Tarique in England under treatment. Government leaders, however, contend that both are now up and doing and stay abroad to dodge trial.   

The two brothers are among a large number of country’s top politicians, including their mother, ex-PM Khaleda Zia, and incumbent premier Sheikh Hasina, were held during a massive anti-graft drive amid state of emergency following the 1/11, 2007 changeover.             

BDST: 1718HRS, AUG 26, 2010