In a momentous and deeply controversial decision, under the present regime of Dr. Yunus, the High Court Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has quashed the lower court verdicts against the key figures involved in the 2004 grenade attack targeting Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of and the leader of Bangladesh’s largest political party Bangladesh Awami League.
Among those acquitted is Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. During the BNP regime, the attack took place on August 21, 2004, resulted in the tragic deaths of 24 people on the spot and left over 300 injured. The blast, intended to kill Sheikh Hasina, remains one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh’s history.
Tarique Rahman had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 while self exile in UK, along with 18 other convicts. However, the High Court’s decision clears him of all charges, despite serious allegations of his central role in orchestrating the attack.
The verdict has sparked intense debate across the political spectrum, with many questioning the implications of this judicial outcome under Dr. Yunus government.
The decision has been met with strong criticism from the ruling Awami League, which has labelled it as a “travesty of justice” and a “dark chapter” in Bangladesh’s history. They argue that this move undermines the Constitution and sets a dangerous precedent, signaling that those responsible for heinous crimes might go unpunished.
Tarique Rahman’s Alleged Role in the Plot: A Pre-Meditated Attack
Tarique Rahman’s alleged involvement in the August 21 grenade attack has been the subject of numerous investigations. According to charges and supplementary evidence presented in court, Rahman is accused of authorizing a plan to assassinate Sheikh Hasina and other senior Awami League leaders. The attack was carried out by members of the banned militant group Harkatul Jihad al Islami (Huji), with active support from influential figures within the BNP-Jamaat coalition government.
In the months leading up to the attack, Tarique Rahman reportedly met with Huji leaders at Hawa Bhaban, a powerful political house for the BNP, was located in the capital. During these meetings, Rahman allegedly gave his consent for the attack, ensuring full support for the militant group. The first of these meetings took place in early 2004, when Huji operatives sought assistance in their plan to assassinate Sheikh Hasina. Tarique, the then senior joint secretary general of BNP, reportedly assured the militants of full backing.
A second meeting occurred in mid-August, just days before the attack, where Tarique once again reaffirmed his support to Huji boss Mufti Hannan and other key players. On the day of the attack, August 21, 2004, grenade explosions at an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue killed 24 people, including Ivy Rahman, wife of the then President Zillur Rahman. Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped injury.
A Web of Political and Militant Collaboration
The grenade attack on August 21 was not an isolated event but a result of a deeply entrenched conspiracy involving key figures from the BNP and its allies in the Jamaat-e-Islami party. The plot was reportedly facilitated through a series of meetings, including a significant one at the residence of Lutfozzaman Babar, the then state minister for home affairs, and political figures like Harris Chowdhury, the political secretary to Khaleda Zia, and other high-ranking officials from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and National Security Intelligence (NSI).
The charges highlight a well-coordinated effort to stage the attack, which involved militants from Huji and state apparatus. The grenades used in the attack were smuggled from Pakistan, with key figures like Salam Pintu and his associates facilitating the supply chain. The explosive devices were stored and distributed by individuals linked to the BNP-Jamaat coalition, indicating a clear pattern of state-sponsored terrorism.
Further investigations revealed that some law enforcement officials, who were supposed to ensure the safety of the rally, deliberately neglected their duties. The then Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ashraful Huda, who later became the Inspector General of Police, went abroad just before the attack, leaving the security arrangements insufficient. Upon his return, no measures were taken to address the negligence, and crucial leads in the investigation were ignored. These failures in law enforcement allowed the perpetrators to escape with relative ease.
Moreover, the charge sheet claims that Khaleda Zia, then the Prime Minister, was aware of the involvement of her son Tarique in the conspiracy and that she had facilitated the escape of key suspects linked to the attack. One such individual, Tajuddin, who supplied the grenades, fled the country with the help of top DGFI officials and Khaleda’s relatives. These revelations add further weight to allegations that the highest echelons of the BNP-Jamaat coalition were complicit in this act of terror.
Political Implications: Tarique Rahman’s Return to Power
The High Court’s decision to quash the convictions has opened the door for Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh’s political arena. Despite ongoing corruption and defamation charges against him, BNP sources indicate that these will not pose significant obstacles to his potential comeback. His acquittal could significantly alter the political landscape, especially as Bangladesh prepares for future elections.
The Awami League has expressed its outrage over the court’s decision, denouncing it as a betrayal of justice. The Awami League leadership has described the ruling as an assault on the Constitution and a reversal of justice, underlining the risks of allowing such an acquittal.
A Bitter Struggle for Justice
The legal and political repercussions of the High Court’s verdict are far-reaching. With Tarique Rahman now cleared of his involvement in one of the most deadly charged attacks in Bangladesh’s history, the nation faces a critical juncture. Will justice be served in future appeals, or will political maneuvering continue to dominate the legal landscape? The people of Bangladesh are left to wonder if they will ever see true justice for the victims of the August 21 grenade attack.
