DHAKA, Aug 19, 2018 (BSS) – Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said the much-waited verdict of the August 21 grenade attack case is likely to be pronounced in September as the trial is at its fag end.
“It would be possible to pronounce the judgment by the lower court in September. Arguments for the very last accused Lutfuzzaman Babar would be placed subsequently on August 26, 27, and 28. After the completion of arguments, it will be the turn to pronounce the judgment. I am hoping, it would be done within September,” he said.
The minister came up with the observations while addressing a discussion on bringing back the killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and executing the court’s judgment, at National Press Club here.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could have formed a special tribunal and hanged the culprits by holding summary trial within three days. But she didn’t do it. She arranged trial as usual. She wanted to ensure justice following conventional legal proceedings,” he added.
The minister said the monstrous incident that took place on August 21, 2004, was not an isolated case; it came as continuation of a conspiracy to make Bangladesh a failed state.
“The conspirators killed Father of the Nation along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975. The killers attempted to kill his worthy daughter Sheikh Hasina on August 21 as part of their evil attempt,” Huq further said.
Presided over by former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, the discussion was addressed by Food Minister Qamrul Islam, National Press Club general secretary Farida Yasmin, Dhaka City (south) unit Awami League general secretary Shahe Alam Murad, among others.
Meanwhile at another seminar the law minister said the August 21 grenade attack trial is at its fag end and the verdict would be pronounced soon.
The minister said these while addressing a seminar titled “Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’s Constitution” at National Museum here.
“We have very friendly relations with the US. Depending on the relations, we can say that it would be possible to bring Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s killer Rashed Chowdhury back from the US soon,” Anisul Huq added.
While talking about another fugitive convict Noor Chowdhury, the minister said the killer is in hiding in Canada.
“Though our relation with Canada is very good as well, but there is a problem. The problem is that Canada has a law, barring death as maximum punishment. They have canceled death as maximum punishment and don’t repatriate convicts to any country, which support death sentence. We are continuing legal battle to overcome this hurdle. If we can able to cross this hurdle, we can bring Noor back,” he said.
Presided over by additional secretary of Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Moshiur Rahman, the seminar was also addressed by additional attorney general Murad Reza and Director General of National Museum Md Abdul Mannan, among others.
National University pro-vice chancellor Prof Dr Md Moshiur Rahman presented keynote paper at the seminar.