Cocktail explosion near Supreme Court after death sentence verdict for 7 AL leaders

A cocktail explosion occurred on the Supreme Court premises shortly after the verdict sentencing seven leaders, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to death in a crimes against humanity case.

The cocktail exploded in front of the entrance used by the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court around 1:18pm on Tuesday, September 15. However, police personnel on duty there could not immediately identify who carried out the incident. No casualties were immediately reported in the explosion.

Earlier, International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced seven leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations to death in a crimes against humanity case. The three-member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict on Tuesday.

Among the other death-row convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and banned Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

In the case, after both sides concluded their arguments on August 18, the tribunal kept the matter pending for judgment. Later, on Monday, September 14, the court fixed Tuesday for delivering the verdict. Accordingly, the cocktail explosion occurred in front of the Chief Justice's entrance at the Supreme Court shortly after the verdict was delivered on Tuesday.

Security has been strengthened in the Supreme Court area following the incident. Law enforcement agencies are investigating who threw the cocktail and what the motive behind it was.