The High Court has suggested that the Home Ministry take necessary steps to initiate a fresh investigation into the August 21 grenade attack case through appropriate and expert agencies to ensure justice.
The court’s directive came after a review of the case, emphasizing the need for action.
On December 1, the High Court annulled the lower court's conviction in the case, which stemmed from the grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004, resulting in the deaths of 24 people and injuries to many others.
The court's full judgment was published on the Supreme Court’s website on Thursday, leading to the acquittal of several accused, including BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar.
Following hearings on death references, appeals, jail appeals and other applications, a bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain passed the judgment.
The full verdict, comprising two separate cases (murder and explosives), was published on the Supreme Court’s website, detailing the 2004 attack.
The attack occurred during a rally on Dhaka’s Bangabandhu Avenue, targeting Sheikh Hasina, the then-opposition leader and the ruling BNP-Jamaat coalition at the time.
Allegations of attempts by the previous government to mislead the investigation were raised by Awami League.
A fresh investigation was initiated in 2007 by the caretaker government and the case was reopened in 2008, resulting in the indictment of 22 individuals.
Further investigation led to supplementary charges against additional suspects, including Tarique Rahman.
In 2018, the trial court convicted 49 individuals, with 19 receiving death sentences. The case gained significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile individuals and the political context.
The High Court's full verdict has clarified the legal process and set the course for future investigations.
