The Supreme Court is set to hear the state's leave to appeal today against the High Court's verdict that acquitted all accused in the prominent August 21 grenade attack cases.
The five-judge bench led by Justice Ashfaqul Islam set today's date for the hearing on Tuesday, May 27. Earlier, on May 15, a six-judge bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed had also scheduled the hearing for today, May 27.
Background of the Case
On December 1, the High Court acquitted all accused, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in the murder and explosives cases related to the August 21 grenade attack. Subsequently, on March 19, the state filed an appeal against the High Court's acquittal of all defendants in the case. Lawyers for the accused hope that the Appellate Division will uphold the High Court's order.
The grenade attack occurred on August 21, 2004, during a rally of then-opposition leader Sheikh Hasina at Bangabandhu Avenue. The incident resulted in the deaths of 24 Awami League leaders and activists. Following the attack, two cases were filed under the murder and explosives acts.
In 2018, the trial court delivered its verdicts in both cases. The judgment sentenced 19 individuals, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar and former Deputy Education Minister Abdus Salam Pintu, to death. Additionally, 19 individuals, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, received life imprisonment, and 11 others were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and fines.
