August 21 Grenade Attack: Paper book of 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.

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.

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

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

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 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, 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.