After a long wait for over 14 years, a speedy trial tribunal is set to deliver its verdict today (Wednesday) in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 on Old Dhaka's Nazimuddin Road may start delivering verdict in the two cases around 10:45am, UNB reported citing court sources.
BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, two former ministers Abdus Salam Pintu and Lutfuzzaman Babar and former top police and intelligence officials of the then BNP-led four-party alliance government are among 49 accused in the cases.
Three other accused -- Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, and militant leaders Mufti Abdul Hannan and Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipu -- were dropped from the cases as they had been executed after convictions in other cases.
Of the accused, Tarique, then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's political secretary Abul Harris Chowdhury, former BNP MP Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and 15 others are on the run.
Earlier on September 18, the tribunal in Dhaka fixed October 10 to pronounce its verdict in two cases -- one for murder and the other for grenade blast-- after both the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments.
Closing their arguments, the prosecution sought the highest punishment to all the accused, including Tarique, saying they were able to prove all the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
They also said Tarique masterminded the attack and helped militants in order to kill Sheikh Hasina by throwing the grenades to make Awami League leaderless.
But the defence lawyers sought acquittal of their clients as they said the prosecution failed to present substantial evidence to prove the charges.
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.