Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is facing arrest warrants in three cases, returned home from the UK on Wednesday afternoon after over a three-month stay there.

She reached Hazrat Shahjajal International Airport by an Emirates Airlines flight at about 5:05pm.

Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists gathered in airport area of the city to welcome their chairperson Khaleda Zia as she returned home from the UK.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir entered the VIP lounge of the airport to welcome Khaleda Zia.

As senior BNP leaders were not allowed to enter the airport, they gathered in front of the airport mosque.

Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies assembled in front of the road opposite to the airport holding banners and placards, disrupting the traffic.

The road stretching from the airport to Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden hotel went under the occupation of the BNP followers.

Huge law enforcers were deployed in the area to maintain the law and order.

They were seen calling upon the BNP leaders and activists through loudspeakers to maintain discipline and use footpaths.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia left London's Heathrow Airport for Bangladesh at about 9:45pm (London time) on Tuesday night, said UK chapter BNP president MA Malek.

Meanwhile, two courts here and another in Comilla last week issued warrants for Khaleda Zia's arrest in separate cases.

Talking to reporters, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed alleged that police were obstructing their leaders and activists from peacefully standing on footpaths in front of the airport.

He said their chairperson returned home showing respect to court as three warrants for her arrest were issued in different cases.

Moudud said Khaleda Zia will surrender before the court and seek bail in the cases in which the arrest warrants were issued against her.

Speaking at a programme on Tuesday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said lawful action will be taken against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia after her return from London.

"Legal action will be taken against her (Khaleda Zia) as there're warrants for her arrest. We'll take action as per the law when the documents of the warrants reach us," he said.

Khaleda Zia went to London on July 15 for receiving medical treatment and spending time with her family members there.

The BNP chief on August 8 underwent a successful eye surgery at a hospital in London. She also celebrated Eid-ul Azha with her family members there.