The High Court has acquitted all defendants, including nine individuals previously sentenced to death, in the case concerning the attempted assassination of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had fled to India amid widespread public unrest. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Justices Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam and Hamidul Rahman. The defense team was led by Barrister Kaiser Kamal, assisted by Advocates Mahbubur Rahman Khan and Maksud Ullah.

Previously, on July 3, 2019, Special Tribunal-3’s acting judge and Pabna’s Additional District and Sessions Judge Md. Rustam Ali had sentenced nine to death, 25 to life imprisonment, and 13 to ten years in prison. All convicts were affiliated with BNP, Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal, either as current or former leaders and activists.

The case dates back to September 23, 1994, when Sheikh Hasina, then the opposition leader, was traveling by the Rupsha Express from Khulna to Saidpur. Allegedly, led by BNP leader Zakaria Pintoo, the accused attacked the train with gunfire and bombs at Ishwardi station, intending to assassinate her. On the same day, Nazrul Islam, then officer-in-charge of Ishwardi GRP Police Station, filed a case. The CID later took over the investigation and, on April 3, 1997, submitted a charge sheet against 52 individuals. Five of the accused passed away, leading to the dismissal of charges against them.

Following hearings on the death references, appeals, and jail appeals, the High Court set February 5, 2025, as the date for delivering the verdict.