Death references reach HC for examination

The death references on August 21 grenade attack cases yesterday reached the High Court for examination of the trial court's verdict that sentenced 19 persons including former state minister and BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar to death, while 19 others including BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman got life imprisonment.

Officials concerned of the Dhaka court brought the case dockets to the HC, said Supreme Court's Special Officer Barrister Md Saifur Rahman, adding, HC will prepare a paper book of the cases on approval of the Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

Once the paper book is ready, an HC bench will hear and dispose of the death references, he also said.

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), if a lower court orders death penalty, the verdict is examined by HC for confirmation of the punishment.

A Dhaka court on October 10 sentenced 19 persons to death and 19 others to life imprisonment in connection with the August 21 grenade attack case.

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, the then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.

The grenade attack, masterminded by some BNP leaders, is one of the most shocking political crimes in the country's history.