Thursday marked the 21st anniversary of the horrific grenade attack on Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue. On this day in 2004, 24 people were killed and more than a hundred Awami League leaders and activists were injured in the attack on the rally of then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.
After 14 years, the trial court gave its verdict in the case (Murder and Explosive Substances Act). In the verdict announced on October 10, 2018, 19 people, including BNP's former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar, were sentenced to death. In addition, 19 people, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to life imprisonment and 11 others were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina's government fell in the face of mass protests. The High Court then overturned the verdict. The state's appeal against the High Court's verdict, which acquitted the accused, is currently being heard.
The six-member Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed held its fourth day of hearing on Wednesday. The hearing was held on Thursday as well.
After the Awami League came to power in 2009, two related cases (murder and explosives) were further investigated and supplementary charge sheets were filed. In that, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and 30 others were made accused.
A case was filed at Motijheel Police Station in the August 21 grenade attack incident. Various questions were raised about the investigation of the case. There were allegations that innocent people were also accused. After the change of tack in 2007, the CID started investigating the case anew during the then caretaker government. The agency named 22 people as accused and filed a charge sheet in the court the following year. After the Awami League came to power in 2009, two related cases (murder and explosives) were further investigated and supplementary charge sheets were filed. In it, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and 30 others were accused.
On October 10, 2018, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict in the case. In it, 19 people, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar, former Deputy Minister for Education Abdus Salam Pintu, were sentenced to death, 19 people, including Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to life imprisonment, and 11 others were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and fines.
14 years after the incident, the trial court delivered its verdict in the related case (Murder and Explosive Substances Act). Last year, the High Court quashed that verdict.
Then, the High Court heard the death references (approval of the death penalty), appeals, jail appeals, and various petitions of the accused. On December 1, 2024, the High Court quashed the verdict of conviction. As a result, everyone was acquitted from the case.
Then, on December 19, the full verdict was published on the Supreme Court website. The verdict said that this is a heinous and tragic incident in the history of the country, where many people including Awami League leader Ivy Rahman lost their lives. For justice to be done to those who died, a fair and independent investigation into this murder is necessary, which is still completely absent in this case. The verdict mentioned that the case should be sent to the Home Ministry to take necessary steps for a fresh investigation through an appropriate and expert organization. In light of this observation of the High Court, a copy of the order was sent to the Home Ministry to take appropriate and necessary steps.
The hearing on the appeal began on July 17 this year with the presentation of the state from the paper book (case summary).
Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud is hearing for the state in the court. Senior lawyer SM Shahjahan, lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir, Mohinur Rahman, among others, are representing the accused.
