Dhaka, July 31 (V7N) – The second day of the state’s appeal hearing against the High Court’s acquittal of all accused in the August 21 grenade attack case, including BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar, is currently underway.

The hearing began at 9:30 AM on Thursday before a six-judge bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed.

Background of the Case

On August 21, 2004, a deadly grenade attack at an Awami League rally in Dhaka's Gulistan area killed 24 people and injured over 300, including top Awami League leaders. Two separate cases were filed under the murder and explosives acts.

Following a fresh investigation under the caretaker government in 2008, a charge sheet was submitted by the CID. After the Awami League came to power in 2009, the probe was expanded, and 30 new accused, including Tarique Rahman, were added.

On October 10, 2018, Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict:

  • 19 people, including Lutfuzzaman Babar and former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu, were sentenced to death.

  • 19 others, including Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to life imprisonment.

  • 11 more individuals received varying prison terms and fines.

Legal Developments

The case documents and death references reached the High Court on November 27, 2018. The hearing began on December 5, 2022, before the bench of Justice Shahidul Karim and Justice Md. Mostafizur Rahman. After the August 5 student-public movement, the bench was reconstituted with Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain, who eventually acquitted all the accused on December 1, 2024.

In response, the state filed a leave to appeal in the Appellate Division, challenging the acquittals.

Today’s proceedings are part of that appeal process, which aims to reverse the High Court’s acquittal and reinstate the convictions issued by the trial court in 2018.

This case remains one of the most politically and historically significant in Bangladesh’s recent history.

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