21st anniversary of horrific August 21 grenade attack today

Today marks the 21st anniversary of the deadly grenade attack on an Awami League rally led by Sheikh Hasina on Bangabandhu Avenue in 2004, one of the most horrific political attacks in Bangladesh’s history. The assault left 24 people dead and over a hundred injured.

On the anniversary of the tragedy, the High Court has reiterated the need for a proper and independent investigation into the incident, as the final hearing on the state's appeal against the acquittal of all accused is set to conclude today.

A six-member Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed, is conducting the hearing today (August 21).

The initial investigation into the case, filed at Motijheel Police Station, was widely criticized. A fresh probe began during the caretaker government in 2007, resulting in a charge sheet in 2008 against 22 individuals. After the Awami League returned to power in 2009, a supplementary charge sheet named 30 more accused, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

On October 10, 2018, Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 19 people, including former State Minister for Home Lutfuzzaman Babar and former Deputy Minister for Education Abdus Salam Pintu, to death. Nineteen others, including Tarique Rahman, were given life sentences, while 11 more received various jail terms.

However, on December 1, 2024, the High Court overturned the trial court's verdict, acquitting all the accused. The full verdict, published on December 19, noted that the attack was a heinous crime and highlighted the absence of a fair and independent investigation. The High Court recommended a fresh probe by a competent authority and directed the Home Ministry to take necessary action.

Following this, the state filed a leave to appeal, which was granted on June 1 this year. The final hearing on the state’s appeal is expected to conclude today.