Aug 21 Attack Cases: Pandemic causing delay in HC hearing

The coronavirus outbreak has caused an unusual delay for the High Court to start hearing on the sensational August 21 grenade attack cases although it has accepted the appeals of the convicted accused more than 15 months back.

The offices concerned of the HC of Bangladesh Government Press were working to prepare the paper books of the cases, but they could not finish it as their functions have been postponed since March 26 due to the shutdown enforced for curbing the Covid-19 pandemic.

A paper book that contains all details of a case, trial proceedings, statements, evidence, orders, verdict and other relevant documents is necessary for the HC to hear and dispose of a death reference or an appeal.

"The authorities concerned were about to finalise preparation for the paper books… It would be completed if the offices could get one week," Supreme Court Spokesman Md Saifur Rahman told The Daily Star recently.

The paper books will be readied in few weeks after the offices resume working and the HC will start hearing the appeals and death references of the August 21 grenade attack cases, he said.

Attorney General (AG) Mahbubey Alam told this correspondent that his office will take necessary steps after reopening of the courts for the hearing.

He, however, could not specify the update and details of the cases.

Law Minister Anisul Huq on January 1 this year told The Daily Star that the Bangladesh Government Press will publish copies of the paper books of August 21 attack cases very soon, and then the government will take necessary steps through AG's office for the hearing.

The death references on the cases reached the HC on November 27 last year for examination of the trial court's verdict.

The HC on January 13 this year accepted the appeals filed by the convicted accused. The same day, the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman also stayed the part of the trial court verdict that fined the convicts.

The bench passed the order as the appeals filed by the convicts, who are now in jail, were included in its cause list, the then Assistant Attorney General Md Yousuf Mahmud Morshed had told The Daily Star.

The HC will hold hearing on the appeals after relevant procedures are completed, he added.

A Dhaka court on October 10, 1018 sentenced 19 persons -- including former state minister and BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar to death, and 19 others -- including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, to life imprisonment in the two cases filed for the August 21 grenade attack.

At least 24 people were killed and around 300 injured in the grisly attack on an Awami League rally on the capital's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.

Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister and the then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.