DHAKA: Two Dhaka courts rejected bail petitions of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in two cases filed for celebrating “fake” birthday on August 15 and “undermining” the national flag.

Metropolitan Magistrates Md Ahsan Habib and Md Khurshid Alam came up with the orders on Thursday (July 5).

One of the 2 cases was a defamation suit filed by Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad President AB Siddik on November 3, 2016 against Khaleda for distorting Liberation War history and demeaning the national flag and map.

Later, an arrest warrant was issued on November 12, 2017.

The other case was filed by journalist Gazi Jahirul Islam on August 30, 2016, accusing Khaleda of observing her birthday on August 15 on the basis of false information.

Later, on November 17, 2016, an arrest warrant was issued against her.

BDST: 1200 HRS, JUL 5, 2018

AH