Dhaka, Aug 21 (V7N) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has set September 4 as the date to deliver its verdict on the state’s appeal challenging the acquittal of Tarique Rahman, Lutfuzzaman Babar, and other accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

A six-member bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed fixed the date on Thursday (August 21), after the fifth day of hearing on the state’s appeal.

In 2018, the lower court sentenced 19 people, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu, to death. Another 19 accused, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to life imprisonment, while 11 others received various jail terms.

However, on December 1, 2024, the High Court acquitted all the accused, including Tarique Rahman. In response, the state filed a leave to appeal on March 19, 2025. The Appellate Division granted the appeal but did not stay the High Court’s acquittal order.

The grenade attack, carried out on August 21, 2004, targeted an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka. The attack killed 24 people, including AL women’s affairs secretary Ivy Rahman, and left about 300 injured. Party president and then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped the assault.

END/SMA/AJ