Dhaka: The High Court on Thursday stayed for six months the trial proceedings of four sabotage cases filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

An HC bench of Justice Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice ANM Bashir Ullah issued the order following separate petitions filed by Khaleda Zia’s counsel.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the taking of cognisance of the four cases—one filed with Jatrabari Police Station and three others with Darus Salam Police Station in 2015‐‐should not be cancelled.

The official concerned of the government have been made respondent to the rule which is returnable in four weeks.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Khaleda Zia filed separate appeal petitions seeking cancellation of the trial proceedings of the four cases.

Advocate Zainul Abedin and Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon stood for Khaleda while deputy attorney general Sheikh AKM Maniruzzaman Kabir represented the state.