Dhaka, May 15 (V7N) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has adjourned until May 26 the hearing of the state's leave to appeal against the High Court verdict that acquitted all accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

The hearing commenced at 10 AM on Thursday before a six-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. After the initial proceedings, the apex court decided to defer further hearings to later this month.

This comes following a controversial High Court ruling on December 1, 2024, where a dual bench headed by Justice AKM Asaduzzaman acquitted all the accused, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The verdict sparked widespread debate and criticism from various political and civil society quarters.

Previously, on October 10, 2018, the trial court had delivered its judgment, sentencing 19 individuals, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu, to death. Another 19 individuals, including Tarique Rahman, received life imprisonment, while 11 others were sentenced to varying jail terms.

The case stems from the deadly grenade attack on August 21, 2004, targeting an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka. The attack left 24 people dead and over 300 injured, including senior party leaders.

The state is now seeking to challenge the High Court acquittals and reinstate the original trial court verdicts. The outcome of this legal battle is expected to have significant political and judicial implications in Bangladesh.

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