DHAKA: The High Court on Monday directed the authorities concerned not to harass or arrest three top leaders of BNP, including BNP vice-chairman Sadek Hossain Khoka, without proper legal procedures.

The tow other leaders are office secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and organizing Secretary Golam Akbar Khandaker.   

An HC bench comprising Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Habibul Gani passed the order after a petition was filed in this regard.

The defense counsels Advocate Zainul Abedin, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury and Sagir Hossain Mia moved for the BNP leaders while Deputy Attorney General M Mokhlesur Rahman for the state.

Earlier in the day, a Dhaka court rejected remand plea against Khoka.   

BDST: 1520 HRS, JAN 20, 2013