Dhaka, July 17 (V7N) – The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has begun hearing the state’s appeal against the acquittal of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and several other accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

At the outset of the hearing, Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed expressed concern over the absence of legal representation for two absconding accused, Hanif and Tajuddin. The court subsequently appointed state defense lawyers to represent them.

Following this, state counsels commenced their arguments challenging the High Court verdict that overturned convictions handed down by a lower court in a separate case related to the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally.

The High Court had issued its controversial ruling on December 1, 2023, acquitting several high-profile accused, including Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar, effectively nullifying the trial court’s earlier convictions.

The grenade attack, which took place on August 21, 2004, targeted an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, killing 24 people and injuring over 300, including senior party leaders. Then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped the assassination attempt.

The state’s appeal seeks to reinstate the trial court’s verdict and ensure justice for the victims of one of the deadliest political attacks in the country’s history.

END/RH/AJ