Paper books of Aug 21 grenade attack cases finalised

The authorities concerned have finalised the paper books of sensational August 21 grenade attack cases for the High Court’s early hearing on the death references and appeals in the case.

The Bangladesh Government Press will publish the copies of the paper books very soon and then the government will take necessary step for hearing the cases, Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star today.

A paper book contains all the details of a case, trial proceedings, statements, evidence, order, verdict and other relevant documents. The book is necessary for the HC to hear and dispose of a death reference or an appeal.

“The paper books of the August 21 grenade attack cases are now going (from the HC) to the Bangladesh Government Press for their publication. After the copies of the paper books are readied, I will instruct the attorney general’s office to take necessary steps before the High Court to fix a date for hearing of the death references of the case,” the law minister said.

The death references on August 21 grenade attack cases reached the HC on November 27 last year for examination of the trial court's verdict that sentenced 19 persons including former state minister and BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar to death, while 19 others including BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman got life imprisonment.

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), if a lower court orders death penalty, the verdict is examined by HC for confirmation of the punishment.

A Dhaka court on October 10 last year sentenced 19 persons to death and 19 others to life imprisonment in connection with the August 21 grenade attack case.

At least 24 people were killed and around 300 injured in the grisly attack on an Awami League rally on the capital's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.

Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.

The grenade attack, masterminded by some BNP leaders, is one of the most shocking political crimes in the country's history.