Dhaka: The High Court on Sunday stayed for six months the trial proceedings of two arson cases filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia with Darus Salam Police Station in capital Dhaka.

An HC bench of Justice Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice ANM Bashir Ullah passed the order following a petition filed by the BNP chief challenging the legality taking cognisance of charge-sheets in the two cases.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the order taking cognigance of the charge-sheets should not be cancelled.

Former Attorney General AJ Mohammad Ali stood for Khaleda Zia while Deputy Attorney General Sheikh AKM Maniruzzaman Kabir represented the state.

In 2015, miscreants set two vehicles -- one of Ekattor Parihaban and the other of New Vision -- on fire during the anti-government movement.

Police filed two cases on February 10 and 20 of the same year.

Police submitted charge-sheets in the two cases on May 12 and May 14, 2016.

On August 10, 2016, the court took cognigance of the charge-sheets.