The High Court on Monday started the hearing on the death references and appeals of the convicts in a murder case over the August 21 grenade attack  on an Awami League rally in 2004. The hearing started at the HC bench of Justice Sahidul Karim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman in the morning. State counsel Attorney General Abu Mohammad (AM) Amin Uddin gave his statement on the death references at the court. Read more: ‘Should I hold dialogue with Khaleda, Tarique who wanted to kill me with grenade attack?’ A Dhaka court on October 10, 2018, sentenced 19 people, including former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, to death in the case. The others who were sentenced to death are then DGFI Director Major General (retd) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury, then NSI Brigadier General (retd) Abdur Rahim, Mohammad Hanif, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Sheikh Abdus Salam, Abdul Mazed, Maulana Shawkat Osman, Mahibullah alias Mafizur Rahman, Maulana Abu Taher, Maulana Abu Sayeed, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Abul Kalam Azad, Mainuddin Sheikh alias Abu Zandal, Ujjal alias Ratan, Hossain Ahmed Tanim, Sheikh Abdus Salam and Abdul Malek. All of the condemned convicts were also fined Tk 1 lakh each. Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and 18 others were sentenced to life in prison. On October 28, the same year, the case documents along with the judgment copy was sent to the High Court for it to approve the death sentence of the accused. The death reference wing of the High Court scrutinized and prepared the paper book of the respective case, which implies the case is ready for hearing. On August 16, last year, the paperbook of the grenade attack case reached the Supreme Court. Then the Attorney General applied to the Chief Justice for a speedy hearing of the death references and appeals. Read more: August 21 grenade attack planned in Hawa Bhaban: Joy August 21 grenade attack case trial On August 21, 2004, a grenade attack was carried out on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue when the BNP-Jamaat alliance was in office. Sheikh Hasina, then leader of the opposition, was apparently the target. Although Sheikh Hasina fortunately escaped the attack unhurt, her hearing was affected badly. At least 13 grenades were thrown from the rooftops of a nearby building soon after Sheikh Hasina had finished her speech at the rally. Then the two cases -- one under the Explosive Substances Act and another for murder -- were filed in connection with the grenade attack. The then BNP-led government formed a one-member investigation committee comprising of High Court Justice Jainul Abedin on August 22, 2004. As the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was later assigned to deal with the cases, they made a cooked-up story of Joj Mia and arrested him with 20 other people in connection with the incident in June 2005. During the remand period, CID collected a false confession from Joj Mia, in which he said that he had taken part in the grenade attack in exchange of Tk 5000 following the orders of his big brothers. Read more: Will seek Tarique’s capital punishment in grenade attack case: Quader On June 11, 2008, CID assistant police superintendent Fazlul Kabir submitted two separate charge-sheets in the two cases, accusing 22 people, including Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami operations commander Mufti Abdul Hannan and Abdus Salam Pintu, where Joj Mia was proven not guilty. A court on August 3, 2009 ordered further investigation into the cases following petitions filed by the prosecution after the Awami League came to power. In July, 2011, a supplementary charge-sheet was submitted accusing 30 more people, including Tarique Rahman, former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, Abul Harris Chowdhury and the Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed. Of the charge-sheeted accused, Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, and militant leaders Mufti Abdul Hannan and Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipul--were dropped from the cases as they had been executed after convictions in other cases.

The date for hearing on the death reference and appeals of the convicted in the August 21 grenade attack case is expected to be announced by the High Court on Monday, said Attorney General AM Amin Uddin. The death reference of a murder case filed in this regard and appeals were in the cause list of the High Court bench of Justice Sahidul Karim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman on Sunday, he said. But as the case filed under the Explosive Substances Act didn’t come up, the bench asked to enlist it in the cause list for Monday, said Attorney General AM Amin Uddin. On August 21, 2004, a grenade attack was carried out on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue when the BNP-Jamaat alliance was in office. Sheikh Hasina, the then leader of the opposition, was apparently the target. Read more: August 21 grenade attack planned in Hawa Bhaban: Joy At least 24 people, including Awami League women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others were also injured. Sheikh Hasina escaped the attack but her hearing was affected badly. A Dhaka court on October 10, 2018, sentenced 19 people, including former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, to death. Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and 18 others were sentenced to life in prison. On October 28, the same year, the case documents along with the judgment copy was sent to the High Court for it to approve the death sentence of the accused. The death reference wing of the High Court scrutinized and prepared the paper book of the respective case, which implies the case is ready for hearing. Read more: Spl show to commemorate Aug 21 grenade massacre Spl show to commemorate Aug 21 grenade massacre On August 16, last year, the paperbook of the grenade attack case reached the Supreme Court. Last August, the Attorney General applied to the Chief Justice for a speedy hearing of the death reference and appeal of this case.

A writ petition has been filed before the High Court (HC) asking Tk 10 crore as compensation for Joj Mia who was wrongfully tried in August 21 grenade attack case and spent five years in jail without committing any crime. Supreme Court (SC) lawyer Humayun Kabir Pallab filed the petition before the bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Riaz Uddin Khan on Monday. The petition has also sought formation of a committee headed by a retired judge of the Appellate Division to identify those who had tried Joj Mia in a false case. Home Secretary, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka district, Officer In-charge (OC) of Motijheel Police Station, OC of Senbag Police Station of Noakhali, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police, ex-Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, ex-Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abdur Rashid, ex-ASP Munshi Atiqur Rahman and ex-Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Ruhul Amin have been made respondents to the writ.     The petition said that Joj Mia can be compensated by confiscating the wealth of those responsible for the August 21 grenade attack, including the then Home Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, ex-IGP Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, ex-ASP Abdur Rashid, Munshi Atiqur Rahman and ex SP Md Ruhul Amin. On August 11, a legal notice was served against 11 people asking for compensating Joj Mia. The notice had asked the respondents to take steps in this regard within 15 days of receiving the notice. Read: August 21 attack: Legal notice served seeking Tk 10 crore as compensation for Joj Mia The two Supreme Court lawyers who had issued the legal notice had said they would move to the High Court with a writ petition for necessary legal action in this regard if they did not receive any response. Today’s writ petition is a continuation of this legal process to ensure compensation for Joj Mia. At least 24 leaders and activists of the Awami League (AL) were killed and many injured in a grenade attack that was launched at an AL rally at the capital’s Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004. On June 9, 2005, Joj Mia was detained from as a suspect from Noakhali’s Senbag upazila and taken into a 17-day police remand. During the remand period, CID collected a false confession from Joj Mia, in which he said that he had taken part in the grenade attack in exchange of Tk 5000 following the orders of his big brothers. The attack occurred during the rule of then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.   In 2007, an interim government decided to reinvestigate the Joj Mia case. On June 11, 2008, CID completed the fresh investigation and produced the charge sheet of the case, in which Joj Mia was proven not guilty. 

Prime Minister's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said before the grenade attack on August 21 in 2004, BNP leader Tarique Rahman had a meeting with planners and enforcers of the blast at Hawa Bhaban. On August 14, 2004, Tarique Rahman had a meeting with then BNP government's state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, and Harkat-ul-Jihad leaders Mufti Hannan and Maulana Tajuddin at Hawa Bhaban, Joy wrote in his verified Facebook account Tuesday. Noor Chowdhury, self-confessed and convicted killer of Bangabandhu, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, former secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, Abul Harris Chowdhury, political secretary of then prime minister Khaleda Zia, Abdus Salam Pintu, deputy minister of the BNP-Jamaat government, also joined the meeting, he added. Read: Joy now a voice of youth in Bangladesh's policy reform circles: CRI On August 16, the second meeting was held at the residence of Babar in the capital's Minto Road where the entire plan was chalked out and the decision was finalised, Joy wrote. On August 21, Harkat-ul-Jihad blasted grenades at an antiterrorism rally headed by then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina in front of Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue, he continued. The grenade blasts killed 26 leaders and activists of the Awami League. Later, Tarique and Duke, with the aid of state agencies, sent the mastermind of the attack, Tajuddin, to Pakistan, Joy said.

A special 3-day visual art show titled 'STIGMATIZED DAY' began at  Nandan Mancha of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Sunday, commemorating the August 21st grenade attack massacre. Fine Arts department of BSA organized the event with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Curated by artist Abhijit Chowdhury and co-curated by Sujon Mahahbub and Shubhra Talukder, the performance art programme is showcasing the graphic representation of the brutal Dhaka grenade attack which took place at an anti-terrorism rally organised by the Bangladesh Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on August 21st, 2004. Read:'BRAVEHEART’: Gallery Cosmos pays rich artistic tribute to Bangabandhu

The country is observing the 18th anniversary of the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally with various programmes on Sunday. On this day in 2004, a grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally organised by the Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue. Sheikh Hasina, then leader of the opposition, was apparently the target. The BNP-Jamaat alliance government was in office at that time. At least 24 people, including Awami League women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others were also injured. Hasina escaped with her life but suffered hearing impairment. Fourteen years later, a Dhaka court sentenced 19 people, including the then BNP government’s state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, to death. Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party's current acting chairman, and 18 others were also sentenced to life in prison. The Awami League and affiliated outfits have chalked out elaborate programmes across the country. A discussion started at 10:30 am to recall the victims of the dreadful in memory of those killed in the August 21 grenade attacks. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over it. On this occasion, politicians of the Awami League and its affiliated outfits placed wreath at the altar build for the 21 August martyrs in front of the Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue today (Sunday). Read: AL set to observe 18th anniversary of August 21 grenade attack on Sunday Traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) requested the city dwellers to use alternative roads avoiding traveling through city's Press Club, Paltan and Zero Point areas today (Sunday) due to day-long political program at Bangabandhu Avenue. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid issued separate messages commemorating the martyrs of the day. The Prime Minister said, “Grenade attack on August 21, 2004, was the continuation of the conspiracy that started with the brutal killing of the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975.” She said that conspiracy is still going on and urged all to unite against the evil anti-independence, anti-development and democracy, communal group that is still powerful. Meanwhile, the President in his message said, “The aim of the assassination gang was to make the Bangladesh Awami League leaderless to stop the democratic process and establish dictatorship and militancy in the country. But the people of Bangladesh did not allow it to happen”. He prayed for peace for of all the martyred souls killed in the 21st August grenade attack. General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport Obaidul Quader called upon the leaders, workers, supporters and well-wishers of Awami League and its allies and fraternal organizations at all levels to observe the Grenade Attack Day on August 21 with due dignity along with the countrymen following the health rules. Those were killed in the grenade attack are- the then opposition leader's personal security guard Lance Corporal (retd) Mahbubur Rashid, Abul Kalam Azad, Rezina Begum, Nasir Uddin Sardar, Atique Sarkar, Abdul Kuddus Patwari, Aminul Islam Moazzem, Belal Hossain, Mamun Mridha, Ratan Shikdar, Liton Munshi, Hasina Mamtaz Reena, Sufia Begum, Rafiqul Islam (Ada Chacha), Mostaque Ahmed Sentu, Md Hanif, Abul Kashem, Zahed Ali, Momen Ali, M Shamsuddin and Ishaque Miah. Those who suffered serious splinter injuries included Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Suranjit Sengupta, Obaidul Quader, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Mohammad Hanif, Prof Abu Sayeed, and AFM Bahauddin Nasim.

The country will observe the 18th anniversary of the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the city with various programmes. On this day in 2004, a grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally organised by the Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue. Sheikh Hasina, then leader of the opposition, was apparently the target. The BNP-Jamaat alliance government was in office at that time. At least 24 people, including Awami League women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others were also injured. Hasina escaped with her life but suffered hearing impairment. Fourteen years later, a Dhaka court sentenced 19 people, including the then BNP government’s state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, to death. Also read: AL set to observe 18th anniversary of August 21 grenade attack on Sunday Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party's current acting chairman, and 18 others were also sentenced to life in prison. The Awami League and affiliated outfits have chalked out elaborate programmes across the country, maintaining health guidelines in wake of the COVID-19 situation. A discussion will be held at 10:30 am to recall the victims of the dreadful in memory of those killed in the August 21 grenade attacks. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over it. Earlier, wreath will be placed at the altar build for the 21 August martyrs in front of the Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue tomorrow. Traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) requested the city dwellers to use alternative roads avoiding traveling through city's Press Club, Paltan and Zero Point areas tomorrow (Sunday) due to day-long political program at Bangabandhu Avenue. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President of the nation Abdul Hamid issued separate messages commemorating the martyrs of the day. The Prime Minister said, “ Grenade attack on August 21, 2004, was the continuation of the conspiracy that started with the brutal killing of the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family on August 15, 1975.” She said that conspiracy is still going on and urged all to unite against the evil anti-independence, anti-development and democracy, communal group that is still powerful. Meanwhile, the President in his message said, “The aim of the assassination gang was to make the Bangladesh Awami League leaderless to stop the democratic process and establish dictatorship and militancy in the country. But the people of Bangladesh did not allow it to happen”. He prayed for peace for of all the martyred souls killed in the 21st August grenade attack. General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport Obaidul Quader called upon the leaders, workers, supporters and well-wishers of Awami League and its allies and fraternal organizations at all levels to observe the Grenade Attack Day on August 21 with due dignity along with the countrymen following the health rules. Also read:  Vehicular movement to be restricted on Sunday 24 people including the then Women Affairs Secretary of Awami League and wife of late President Zillur Rahman were killed and over 500 others injured in the attack and many of them became crippled for life. Those were killed in the grenade attack are- the then opposition leader's personal security guard Lance Corporal (retd) Mahbubur Rashid, Abul Kalam Azad, Rezina Begum, Nasir Uddin Sardar, Atique Sarkar, Abdul Kuddus Patwari, Aminul Islam Moazzem, Belal Hossain, Mamun Mridha, Ratan Shikdar, Liton Munshi, Hasina Mamtaz Reena, Sufia Begum, Rafiqul Islam (Ada Chacha), Mostaque Ahmed Sentu, Md Hanif, Abul Kashem, Zahed Ali, Momen Ali, M Shamsuddin and Ishaque Miah. Those who suffered serious splinter injuries included Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Suranjit Sengupta, Obaidul Quader, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Mohammad Hanif, Prof Abu Sayeed, and AFM Bahauddin Nasim.

The ruling Awami League, its front and associate bodies will observe the eighteenth anniversary of August 21 grenade attacks. The grenade attack on an Awami League (AL) anti-terrorism rally in the capital was carried out on August 21, 2004 during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government on Bangabandhu Avenue. They have chalked out elaborate programmes across the country, maintaining health guidelines in wake of the COVID-19 situation. According to Press release, a discussion will be held at 10:30 am to recall the victims of the dreadful in memory of those killed in the August 21 grenade attacks. Also read: 17th anniversary of Grenade Attack on AL rally beckons Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over it. Earlier, wreath will be placed at the altar build for the 21 August martyrs in front of the Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue tomorrow. General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport Obaidul Quader called upon the leaders, workers, supporters and well-wishers of Awami League and its allies and fraternal organizations at all levels to observe the Grenade Attack Day on August 21 with due dignity along with the countrymen following the health rules. 24 people including the then Women Affairs Secretary of Awami League and wife of late President Zillur Rahman were killed and over 500 others injured in the attack and many of them became crippled for life. Also read: Nation remembers Aug 21 grenade attack victims Those were killed in the grenade attack are- the then opposition leader's personal security guard Lance Corporal (retd) Mahbubur Rashid, Abul Kalam Azad, Rezina Begum, Nasir Uddin Sardar, Atique Sarkar, Abdul Kuddus Patwari, Aminul Islam Moazzem, Belal Hossain, Mamun Mridha, Ratan Shikdar, Liton Munshi, Hasina Mamtaz Reena, Sufia Begum, Rafiqul Islam (Ada Chacha), Mostaque Ahmed Sentu, Md Hanif, Abul Kashem, Zahed Ali, Momen Ali, M Shamsuddin and Ishaque Miah. Those who suffered serious splinter injuries included Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Suranjit Sengupta, Obaidul Quader, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Mohammad Hanif, Prof Abu Sayeed, and AFM Bahauddin Nasim.

BNP on Saturday termed ‘irresponsible, fabricated and politically motivated’ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s comment that Khaleda Zia tried to kill her through the August-21 grenade attack.

Although 16 years have elapsed since the August 21 grenade attack, the long wait of Umme Kulsum Renu, a survivor of the grisly attack, to see the punishment of the attacker is not over yet.