A Comilla court yesterday rejected a bail petition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a case filed under the Special Powers Act over an arson attack in the district's Chauddagram upazila over three years ago.

The High Court yesterday denied BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia bail in an arson case lodged under the Special Powers Act in Comilla in 2015.

Nearly three decades ago, section 16(2) was dropped from the Special Powers Act, 1974. But strangely, police filed a case under the section and even arrested two accused in Manikganj's Singair this May.

The High Court directs the inspector general of police (IGP) to take necessary steps so that police do not record any case or arrest anybody under Section 16 (2) of the Special Powers Act.