Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing on a leave-to-appeal petition until June 1. The petition challenges a High Court verdict that acquitted all those previously convicted by a lower court in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack cases.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Appellate Division’s full bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, issued the adjournment order after partially hearing the plea. The state was represented by Additional Attorney Generals Mohammad Abdul Jabber Bhuiyan, Mohammad Arshadur Rouf, and Aneek Rushd Haque. Senior Advocate SM Shahjahan and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir appeared for the defense.
Previously, on December 1, 2024, the High Court overturned the lower court’s verdicts in both the murder and explosives cases related to the attack. The court’s decision came after reviewing the death references, criminal, and jail appeals filed in the two cases.
The High Court’s judgment noted that the lower court trial was deemed illegal as it did not comply with legal standards. No eyewitnesses were examined in the cases; instead, all examined witnesses only had second-hand knowledge of the incident, explained defense counsel Advocate Shishir Manir. He also noted that the lower court’s judgment was based on a confessional statement by Mufti Abdul Hannan, which was deemed inadmissible as it was obtained under coercion.
The grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004, resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people and injuries to many others.