Postponement of Hearing for 'August 21 Grenade Attack' Case to Next Day
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh adjourned the hearing on a state plea against the High Court's acquittal of people convicted in a grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue on 21 August 2004. The hearing is scheduled to continue tomorrow.
The hearing is being presided over by a six-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. As of late August 2025, Syed Refaat Ahmed continues to hold this position, but there is no specific mention that he was notified or presided over the court date related to the federal petition.
Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Masud moved the plea for the state in the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate SM Shahjahan and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir argued for the defense.
The grenade attack occurred on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, resulting in at least 24 deaths and many injuries. The High Court pronounced its verdict on 1 December 2024, overturning the lower court judgment in the two cases. The High Court's judgment was delivered after holding a hearing on the death references, criminal, and jail appeals filed in the two cases.
The High Court observed that the lower court trial was illegal due to the lack of eyewitness examination and non-compliance with the law. The court also noted that the lower court's judgment was based on a confessional statement of Mufti Abdul Hannan, but this statement has no evidential value as it was obtained by force.
The Supreme Court granted a leave to appeal petition on 1 June 2025 against the High Court's judgment that had acquitted all the people convicted in the two cases. All witnesses examined in the cases were heard about the incident, but no eyewitnesses were actually examined. The court allowed all appeals and ruled that the death reference was rejected.
The case remains a significant event in Bangladesh's political history, with many hoping for justice for the victims and their families. The Supreme Court's decision in the upcoming hearing will be closely watched by all parties involved.
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