Aug 21 grenade attack case: Tribunal to deliver verdict on October 10

A speedy trial tribunal in Dhaka has fixed October 10 to deliver its verdict in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the city back in 2004.

After hearing the closing arguments, Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 fixed the date on Tuesday.

The court also rejected the bail of eight accused and issued an order to send them to jail immediately, reports UNB.

Earlier, the court set September 17 and 18 for hearing the closing arguments after hearing the prosecution's rebuttal arguments against defence arguments on September 12.

On October 23 last, the prosecution started placing arguments before the tribunal in connection with the two cases filed over the grenade attack.

On August 21, 2004, the grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally arranged by Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue during the BNP-Jamaat alliance's rule, aiming to kill the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.

At least 24 leaders and activists, including AL's women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack.

Although Sheikh Hasina fortunately escaped unhurt in the attack, her hearing was affected badly.

Later, two cases — one under the Explosive Substances Act and another for murder — were filed in connection with the grenade attack.

On June 11, 2008, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a charge-sheet against 22 people in the case.

The court on August 21, 2010 ordered further investigation into the grenade attack following a petition filed by the state.