Paper book of August 21 grenade attack cases ready

The authorities concerned have prepared the paper books of the sensational August 21 grenade attack cases -- clearing the way for the High Court to start hearing on the death references and appeals of the cases.

The paper books of the August 21 grenade attack cases have reached the Supreme Court from the Bangladesh Government Press today, Supreme Court Spokesman Md Saifur Rahman informed The Daily Star.

He, however, did not give the details about the issue.

A paper book, which 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.

If a lower court sentences any person to death in a case, its judgment is examined by the HC through hearing arguments for confirmation of the death sentence. The case documents and judgment reach as death reference to the HC from the lower court in seven days after the latter delivers the verdict.

Contacted, Law Minister Anisul Huq told this newspaper that the government has taken necessary steps for quickly preparing the paper books of the August 21 grenade attack cases for early hearing and disposing of their death references and appeals.

"Now I will talk to the attorney general and will request him to place an application before the High Court for hearing and disposing of the death references and appeals as soon as possible," the law minister added.

The death references on the cases reached the HC on November 27, 2018 for examination of the trial court's verdict.

The HC on January 13 last 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, 2018 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.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.