The paper-book of the sensational August 21 grenade attack cases are ready to begin the hearing on the death references and appeals of the convicts in the High Court.
According to the Supreme Court administration, the paper books arrived there from the Bangladesh Government Press on Sunday after a long wait.
A paper-book records all the details of a case, trial proceedings, verdicts, and other documents, including statements and evidence. A paper-book is necessary for the High Court to hear and dispose of a death reference or appeal.
Now the chief justice will send the death references and appeals to a High Court bench for their hearing and disposal.
On January 13 this year, the High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman accepted appeals of the convicts in the two cases, filed for the grisly grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka that killed at least 24 people and injured around 300 on August 21, 2004.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.
On October 10, 2018, Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal 1 delivered its verdict in the cases.
The 19 people who were sentenced to death include former state minister for home, Lutfozzaman Babar, former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, former NSI chief Brig Gen (retd) Rezzaqul Haider Chowdhury, former DGFI director Brig Gen (retd) Abdur Rahim, and Hanif Paribahan owner Mohammad Hanif.
The 19 people sentenced to life in prison include BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, and former BNP MP, Qazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad.
Eighteen of the 49 convicted, including Tarique, are still on the run. The government, however, says it is trying to bring the fugitives who currently live abroad, back to the country.
