August 21 grenade attack case: Death penalty for Tarique, others sought

The prosecution sought death penalty for BNP leader Tarique Rahman and 48 other accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

Chief prosecutor of the case, Syed Rezaur Rahman, on Monday sought the highest punishment after concluding the prosecution argument at Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 while tribunal Judge Shahed Nur Uddin set Tuesday for starting the defence argument.

On August 21 in 2004, the grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally arranged by Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue during the BNP-Jamaat alliance's rule, reportedly to assassinate then leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina.

At least 24 leaders and activists, including AL's women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack.

Although Sheikh Hasina fortunately escaped with her life from the attack, her hearing was affected badly.

Two cases -- one under the Explosive Substances Act and another for murder -- were filed in connection with the grenade attack.

Along with Tarique Rahman BNP leader and former Home Minister Lutfozzaman Babar and BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu are among the 93 accused in the cases.

AIMD