M Humayun Kabir: A speedy trial tribunal in Dhaka has fixed October 10 to deliver its verdict in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 set the date for verdict delivery after hearing the closing arguments for hours at a packed courtroom, reports The Daily Star.
Scrapping bail for eight people accused in the case, the judge also ordered to send them to jail immediately, until the delivery of verdict.
Of the 49 accused in the two cases over the blasts, 23, including former BNP ministers Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu, are in jail; eight, including three former inspectors general of police, are on bail; and 18, including Tarique Rahman, on the run.
During closing arguments Monday, the prosecution sought highest punishment to the offenders who were involved with committing the grisly attack.
At least 24 people were killed and around 300 injured in the grisly attack on an Awami League rally in the capital’s Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.
Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.
Following the incident, two cases were filed against 49 people with Motijheel Police Station, one for murder and another under the Explosive Substances Act.
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