The High Court has acquitted all accused, including former State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar, who had been sentenced to death in the August 21 grenade attack case. On Sunday, December 1, after being acquitted, Babar’s wife, Tahmina Zaman, expressed gratitude, stating, “We finally received justice after a long wait. Alhamdulillah.” She also mentioned the immense hardship they endured during this prolonged period.

The High Court bench, led by Justices AKM Asaduzzaman and Syed Enayetur Rahim, overturned the lower court’s verdict, declaring the case invalid after hearings concluded on November 21. The final ruling was delivered at around 11:45 AM, exonerating all the accused, including BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment.

This verdict followed a series of developments after Sheikh Hasina, under public pressure, resigned from the prime ministerial position and left the country on August 5. Subsequently, judicial reforms led to changes in the bench responsible for this case. The reconstituted High Court benches included the one that ultimately ruled on the appeals.

The grenade attack, carried out on August 21, 2004, targeted an Awami League rally, killing 24 people. The Awami League alleged that the attack was politically motivated. An initial investigation led to charges against 22 individuals, including leaders of Harkat-ul-Jihad. In 2009, the Awami League government requested further investigation, resulting in an expanded list of 52 accused, including BNP leaders Tarique Rahman and Lutfozzaman Babar.

In 2018, a lower court sentenced 19 individuals, including Babar, to death and handed life sentences to 19 others, including Tarique Rahman. Following the verdict, appeals were filed, and the High Court began reviewing the death reference and appeals in 2022. The final ruling, which dismissed all charges, has sparked significant debate, given the political and historical weight of the case.