A Dhaka court today adjourned abruptly the proceedings of two cases filed over August 21 grenade attack as several defence counsels fail to appear before it and those who were present there were not prepared.

Today the court started recording the closing argument of the defence at 12:51pm and three state appointed defence counsels placed their arguments on behalf of their fugitive clients.

But six other state defence counsels were not present at the court, then the court asked other defence counsels who were present at the courtroom to start their arguments but none placed arguments siting lack of preparation.

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August 21 Grenade Attack: Defence begin their closing arguments

Twenty-four leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies were killed and over 300 others suffered splinter injuries in the grenade attack on Awami League rallyin 2004.

Ivy Rahman, the then Mohila AL president and also the wife of late president Zillur Rahman, was among the deceased.

READ MORE ABOUT: August 21 carnage

Many of the injured became crippled for life while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, narrowly escaped the attack with ear injuries.

Of the 49 accused, eight, including three former inspector generals of police, are now on bail, while 18, including BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, have been absconding.

Twenty-three accused, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and ex-deputy minister for education Abdus Salam Pintu were produced before the court today.

Then, Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1adjourned the proceedings till tomorrow at 1:30pm.

On January 1, the prosecution completed their closing arguments and sought the highest punishment for all the accused.