Aug 21 grenade attack: SC to hold hearing on appeals Thursday

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is set to announce its verdict on Thursday, September 4, in the appeal filed by the state challenging the acquittal of all accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

Among the accused are BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, who was previously sentenced to life imprisonment, and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, who received the death penalty. The appeal seeks to overturn their acquittals and reinstate the original convictions.

A six-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, will deliver the ruling.

The hearing concluded on August 21, marking the anniversary of the deadly grenade attack that targeted an Awami League rally in 2004, killing 24 people and injuring hundreds. Following the hearing, the court scheduled the verdict for September 4.

Defense arguments on behalf of Rahman and Babar were presented by Advocate S.M. Shahjahan and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir.

Several senior lawyers representing the BNP were present in court, including Zainul Abedin, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, Advocate Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, Advocate Aminul Islam, Advocate Maksud Ullah, Advocate Zakir Hossain, and Advocate Anisur Rahman Raihan Biswas.

The August 21 grenade attack remains one of the most significant and tragic events in Bangladesh’s political history, with its legal proceedings continuing to shape the country’s judicial and political landscape.