The New Nation - Internet Edition

Court Correspondent

A Court of Dhaka yesterday refixed August 3 for next charge-framing hearing of the August 21 grenade attack case.

On behalf of some accused petitions were submitted for allowing time to enable them collect necessary documents, while on behalf of others petitions were submitted for discharging them from the case.

KM Rasheduzzaman Raja, Additional Metropolitan Session Judge, Second Court of Dhaka heard both sides in his crowded court-room and fixed the next date for further hearing on charge-framing.

Of the 22 accused, 14 including former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu were brought to the Court, while 8 others are at large.

Besides Pintu, other accused who were produced before the crowded court Tuesday are: Mufti Hannan's brother Mohibullah alias Mofizur Rahman alias Ovi, Sharif Shahidul Islam Bipul, Maulana Abu Sayeed, Dr Abu Zafar, Abul Kalam Azad alias Bulbul, Jahangir Alam, Maulana Abu Taher, Shahadatullah Jewel, Hossain Ahmed Tamim, Mafti Mohiuddin Shaikh alias Abu Zandul alias Masum Billah, Arif Hasan Sumon, Rafiqul Islam Sabuj and Mohammad Ujjal Ratan.

The eight fugitives of the case are: Pintu's brothers Maulana Tajuddin, Maulana Liton, Anisul Mursalin, Mahibul Mottakin, Iqbal, Maulana Abu Bakar alias Selim Howladar, Jahangir Alam Badar and Khalilur Rahman.

Investigation Office (IO) Fazlur Kabir, an Assistant Superintendent of Police submitted charge sheet against the accused on June 11. Of the accused 8 made confessional statements about their involvement in the grenade attack under section 164 of the Code of criminal procedure (CrPC).

The case was filed for grenade attack on an Awami League rally held on August 21, 2004 which left 23 people dead and about 200 injured.