SC stays bail of PM Hasina's convoy attack case convicts

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has stayed a High Court order that granted bail to seven people convicted and sentenced in a case lodged over the 2002 attack on the motorcade of then leader of the opposition and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Satkhira.

Justice Hasan Foez Siddique of Appellate Division Chamber Judge Court passed the order after holding a hearing on a state plea against the High Court order. 

The court also sent the matter for further hearing to the regular bench of the Appellate Division on May 30.

The seven convicts are – Golam Rosul, Abdus Samad, Abdus Sattar, Johurul Islam, Rakib, Shahabuddin and Monirul Islam.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Additional Attorney General SM Munir took part in the hearing for the state.

The High Court on May 25 allowed bail to the seven convicts after holding a hearing on separate petitions filed in this regard.

Also Read - Ex-BNP MP among 50 convicted of 2002 attack on Sheikh Hasina's convoy

Miscreants hurled bombs on the convoy of then leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina and even shot at her as her motorcade reached in front of Kolaroa upazila BNP office in Satkhira on August 30, 2002. 

They vandalized a couple of vehicles of the convoy also.

Many people including leaders and activists of Awami League and newsmen accompanying the then leader of the opposition were injured in the attack.

On August 30, 2002, Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, was returning to Magura after visiting a freedom fighter's wife in Satkhira when her convoy came under attack in Kalaroa upazila of the district.

Hasina survived the attack relatively unscathed but many Awami League leaders and workers were injured along with some journalists.

Kalaroa Mohammad Moslem Uddin, a freedom fighter, filed a case against 27 men for the attack which was later dismissed for not being recorded at the police station.

The case was reopened on October 15, 2014, and police pressed charges in court against 50 accused in this connection.

On May 17, 2015, inspector Sheikh Shafiqur Islam, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted charge sheet against 50 people in the case.