August 21 Grenade Attack: Next appeal hearing on July 24

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has scheduled July 24 for the next hearing in the appeal against the High Court verdict that acquitted several key accused, including BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and former State Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack case.

A six-member bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed fixed the date during Thursday’s (July 17) proceedings. Earlier that day, the state began its arguments against the High Court's acquittal verdict, represented by Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud.

The court also appointed senior lawyer SM Shahjahan as state defense counsel for fugitive accused Maulana Tajuddin Ahmed and Mohammad Hanif, owner of Hanif Paribahan.

The deadly grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka’s Gulistan area claimed 24 lives and left hundreds injured. Two cases—one for murder and another under the Explosives Act—were filed. A charge sheet was submitted by the CID in 2008 during the caretaker government.

After the Awami League returned to power in 2009, further investigations added 30 new accused, including Tarique Rahman. On October 10, 2018, Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 sentenced 19 individuals to death, including Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu. Tarique Rahman and 18 others were sentenced to life imprisonment, while 11 others received varying jail terms and fines.

Among those sentenced to death were high-profile militants and officials, including former NSI Director General Maj. Gen. (Retd) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury, Brig. Gen. (Retd) Abdur Rahim, and HuJI leaders. Life-term convicts included political figures and intelligence officials.

In December 2023, the High Court acquitted all the accused following lengthy appeal hearings. The state later filed a leave-to-appeal application, which was granted on April 21, paving the way for a full appeal hearing.

The upcoming hearing on July 24 will mark the latest development in one of Bangladesh’s most politically significant and high-profile criminal cases.