The case filed for blasting grenades at an Awami League (AL) rally on August 21, 2004 was transferred yesterday to the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 for quick disposal.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque passed the order following a directive issued earlier by the home ministry.
Earlier, a murder case filed in connection with the grenade attacks was transferred to the same tribunal for quick disposal. Judge Masdar Hossain fixed September 24 for hearing on charge framing against the accused.
After receiving the case docket, the tribunal yesterday fixed September 24 for hearing on charge framing against 22 people including Harkatul Jihad (Huji) chief Mufti Abdul Hannan and detained former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu.
The cases were filed after 23 people had been killed and 200 others injured in grenade attacks on an AL rally in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004. AL President Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped the attack.
Of the accused, Pintu, Mufti Hannan and his brother Mohibullah alias Mafizur Rahman alias Ovi along with 10 others are now in jail custody. They were produced before the court yesterday.
Another accused Shahadat Ullah Jewel, who was earlier granted bail by the High Court, was also present in the court yesterday.
Pintu's brothers Maulana Tajuddin and Maulana Liton, Anisul Mursalin, Mahibul Muttakin, Iqbal, Maulana Abu Bakar alias Selim Howlader, Jahangir Alam Badar and Khalilur Rahman have been absconding since the cases were filed.
Of the arrestees, Hannan, Bipul, Ovi, Abu Sayeed, Bulbul, Arif Hossain, Jahangir and Sabuj gave statements admitting to their involvement in the incident.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Assistant Superintendent Fazlul Kabir, also the investigation officer (IO) of the cases, submitted the charge-sheets to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on June 11 this year, showing 412 people as prosecution witnesses.