The High Court today directed the lower court concerned in Comilla to hear and dispose a bail petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia by July 26 in an arson case lodged under the Special Tribunal Act in 2015.

The High Court bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman passed the order following a petition filed by Khaleda Zia seeking bail in the case.

Eight people were killed and many others injured after a bus was torched in Comilla's Chouddagram upazila on February 2, 2015, during anti-government agitation.

The following day, police lodged two cases -- one for murder and another under the Special Powers Act, 1974 with Chouddagram Police Station.

Khaleda, who stands accused in 34 cases, submitted the petition to the High Court on June 5 this year seeking bail in the arson case filed the Special Powers Act.