Summary:
- The High Court acquitted BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who was previously sentenced to life imprisonment, in the August 21 grenade attack case.
- All other accused, including former Home Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, who was sentenced to death, have also been acquitted.
- The verdict was delivered by the High Court bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayetur Rahman on December 1st at 11 AM.
- In 2018, a trial court had sentenced 19 people to death and another 19, including Tarique Rahman, to life imprisonment for their roles in the attack.
In a landmark decision, the High Court of Bangladesh has acquitted all individuals accused in the high-profile August 21 grenade attack case. This ruling, delivered on December 1, 2024, by a bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain, overturns previous convictions handed down by a lower court. Among those acquitted are Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar.
The original verdict in 2018 had sentenced Babar and former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu to death, while Tarique Rahman and several others received life imprisonment. These sentences were part of a broader judgment against 49 individuals accused of orchestrating the attack on an Awami League rally on August 21, 2004. The attack, which involved the use of military-grade Arges grenades, resulted in the deaths of 24 people and injuries to over 300 others. The prosecution had argued that the attack was a well-orchestrated plan executed with the assistance of state machinery at the time.
The High Court’s decision to acquit all accused parties has significant political implications in Bangladesh. The ruling declared the charges against the defendants null and void, citing insufficient evidence to uphold the previous convictions. This development has sparked varied reactions across the political spectrum, with some expressing dissatisfaction over the acquittals.
Law Minister Anisul Huq indicated that the government might seek further legal recourse following a thorough review of the High Court’s full judgment text. Meanwhile, survivors and families of victims have expressed disappointment with the outcome, as they had hoped for harsher penalties for those deemed responsible for masterminding the attack.
This case has been one of Bangladesh’s most politically sensitive trials, highlighting issues of justice and accountability within the country’s legal framework. The High Court’s ruling underscores ongoing debates about political influence in judicial proceedings and raises questions about future implications for similar cases involving high-profile political figures.
Source: Daily Inqilab
