DHAKA: A Dhaka court has fixed October 10 to deliver the verdict of the case filed over deadly grenade attacks carried out targeting an Awami League rally on August 21 in 2004.

Judge Shahed Nur-Uddin of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1, setup in front of the old central jail in Nazimuddin Road, fixed the date on Tuesday (Sept 18) after concluding hearing defence arguments. 

Moreover, the court also canceled the bail of eight accused in the case and ordered to send them into jail.

Earlier on Monday (Sep 17), the prosecution placed its arguments before court seeking maximum punishment of the accused. The court fixed today to hear the defence arguments.

A total of 225 witnesses, out of 511 mentioned in the charge-sheet, testified before court. 

A total of 52 people were accused in the case. Three of them- Muzahid, Mufti Hannan and Sharif Shahedul- were hanged previously after being convicted in other cases.

Among the rest 49 accused, 8 were in bail, 18 are absconding and 23 are in prison including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar.

The 2004 attack killed 24 Awami League leaders and party members and injured 500 others. 

BDST: 1430 HRS, SEP 18, 2018
AP