Tarique Rahman, Babar, Along with All Accused Cleared in August 21 Grenade Attack

On December 1, the High Court of Bangladesh announced its verdict on the appeal and death reference in the August 21 grenade attack case. All accused, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, were acquitted. The case involved a 2004 attack on an Awami League rally, which killed 24 people, including Ivy Rahman, and injured over 300. The trial court had sentenced 19 individuals, including former Home Minister Lutfuzzaman Babar, to death, while 19 others, including Tarique Rahman, were given life imprisonment. Following the trial, the High Court reviewed the appeal and death reference, ultimately acquitting all defendants. The investigation named 52 accused, some of whom were executed in previous cases, reducing the number of accused to 49. The court also sentenced several individuals, including former law enforcement officials, to prison terms. Despite the verdict, the court’s decision has stirred controversy, as it cleared key figures like Tarique Rahman of involvement in the attack.