A speedy trial tribunal in Dhaka on Tuesday fixed October 10 to deliver its verdict in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack, report agencies.
Judge of Speedy Trial Tribunal Shahed Nuruddin set the date after completion of the hearing on Tuesday in a carnage that killed 24 people 14 years ago.
The 2004 grenade attack on an opposition rally on the Bangabandhu Avenue occurred at a time when the BNP-Jamaat government was in power.
Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition in parliament at the time, was the chief speaker at the rally. As she was stepping off the truck, which was used as a dais, assailants hurled the grenades into the rally.
Detectives said 13 to 14 grenades were detonated.
Among those killed in the blasts were Bangladesh Mohila Awami League President Ivy Rahman, wife of senior Awami League leader Zillur Rahman, who was later elected president. The attack left Hasina with hearing problems.
The late Dhaka mayor, Mohammad Hanif, was among over 500 injured in the explosions.
The court also rejected the bail of eight accused and issued an order to send them to jail immediately.
Earlier, the court set September 17 and 18 for hearing the closing arguments after hearing the prosecution's rebuttal arguments against defence arguments on September 12.
On October 23 last, the prosecution started placing arguments before the tribunal in connection with the two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.
Although Sheikh Hasina fortunately escaped unhurt in the attack, her hearing was affected badly.
Then the two cases -- one under the Explosive Substances Act and another for murder -- were filed in connection with the grenade attack.
On June 11, 2008, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a charge-sheet against 22 people in the case.
The court on August 21, 2010 ordered further investigation into the grenade attack following a petition filed by the state.
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