Two former Inspectors General of Police (IGP) were granted bail in August 21 grenade attack case. The sentence awarded convicts are former IGPs Shahudul Haque and Ashraful Huda. The High Court granted six months bail to them after accepting the appeal for hearing.
The High Court bench comprising Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal and Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty delivered the order on Monday.
Lawyers Arshadur Rauf and Jamilur Rahman stood for the two former IGPs while Assistant Attorney General Md. Ali Jinnah stood for the state.
Later lawyer Jamilur Rahman said to the newsmen, the court has granted bail after accepting the appeal for hearing. They are in the Kashimpur jail and following the order there is no obstacle to release them on bail.
Assistant Attorney General Md. Ali Jinnah said, both Shahudul Haque and Ashraful Huda have passed 14 months time in imprisonment of their two years punishment. Under this logic they were granted bail. But appeal will be filed with Appellate Division against the bail order.
24 people were killed including former president Zillur Rahman’s wife Avy Rahman in a grenade attack in Awami League rally on August 21, 2004. The incumbent Prime Minister and the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina was critically injured and many leaders and activists of the party were also injured in the attack.
On October 10 last year the verdict of the case was delivered. In the verdict the court awarded death sentence for 19 people including former state minister for home Lutfuzzaman Babar. Besides life term imprisonment was awarded to 19 people including BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Haris Chowdhury and former lawmaker Kaikobad.
According to the regulations the documents of the death sentence awarded persons were sent for approval to the High Court. The sentence awarded persons filed jail appeal against the verdict.
AH
