CUMILLA, July 7, 2025 (BSS)- A court here today acquitted BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami from three separate criminal cases.

Kaimul Haque Ringku, Public Prosecutor (PP) of Cumilla District and Sessions Judge Court told journalists that those cases were lodged with Chouddagram thana in connection with death of eight passengers of bus in a bomb explosion and setting fire on a covered van in 2015.

The public prosecutor said eight people were burnt to death in a petrol bomb attack on a passenger bus at Jogmohonpur area of the upazila on February 3 in 2015. 

Chowddagram thana police lodged two separate cases in this connection with the murder and explosion and later submitted charge sheet against 78 leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat including Begum Khaleda Zia.

Judge of Additional District and Sessions Court-2 of Cumilla Shafiqul Islam acquitted Begum Khaleda Zia as she was staying in her Gulshan residence at that time.
 
Meanwhile, another case was filed with the same police station on January 25 in 2015 for setting fire a covered van at Haidarpur area of the upazila where 32 people including Begum Khaleda Zia were named as accused. Police later submitted charge sheet against 42 including Khaleda Zia in connection with the case. 

Judge of the Additional District and Sessions Court-1 of Cumilla Afroza Sheuly discharged Khaleda Zia as her involvement in the case was not proved during the trial.

Other accused of the cases were also relieved from charges considering those cases as political, the PP said.