Dhaka: A court in Dhaka on Tuesday issued warrants for the arrest of 14 BNP leaders, including its vice-chairman Selima Rahman, in an arson case filed with Khilgaon Police Station in January last.

Metropolitan Magistrate Imdadul Haque passed the order after accepting the charges against 24 accused, including the 14.

BNP chairperson’s adviser Shawkat Mahmud, special assistant Shimul Biswas, press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, joint secretary general Barkat Ullah Bulu, Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel, Azizul Bari Helal, Shafiul bari Babu and Sarafat Ali are among the 13 others BNP leaders.

According to the prosecution, a group of leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20-party alliance brought out a procession and torched a ‘Turag Paribahan’ bus in the city’s Khilgaon area on 30 January during their countrywide hartal and blockade.

Later, the bus owner filed the case with Khilgaon Police Station.

On 27 July, Billal Hossain, sub-inspector of Khilgoan Police Station, submitted a charge-sheet against the 24 BNP leaders and activists.