Attack on Hasina's train in Ishwardi HC acquits all convicts

The High Court on Wednesday acquitted all the 47 convicts in a case filed over an attack on a train carrying then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina at Ishwardi station in Pabna in 1994.

The HC also scrapped the judgement of the trial court, which had sentenced nine people to death, 25 to life in jail and 13 others to 10 years in prison. The HC also asked the jail authorities to immediately release the convicts from the prison.

The HC bench of Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman delivered the verdict after hearing death references and appeals.

Barrister Kayser Kamal along with Advocate Md Maksud Ullah represented the accused, while Deputy Attorney General Md Mujibur Rahman appeared for the state.

Lawyer Maksud said the HC acquitted all the accused of the charge as the allegations brought against them were not proved.

There was no eyewitness in the case, he said, adding that those, who made statements as witnesses before the magistrate, were the people from Awami League.

Later, Sheikh Hasina had ruled the country for 15 years as the prime minister. After resigning as PM, she fled to India on August 5 last year in the face of the mass uprising.

On 23 September 1994, Sheikh Hasina was travelling from Khulna to Niphamari's Saidpur by train and addressed several rallies at different railway stations on the way.

According to the case statement, as the train reached Paksey station in Ishwardi, it came under attack. Crude bombs were hurled and shots were fired.

The attack continued until the train reached Ishwardi station. Many were injured while Awami League president Sheikh Hasina was escaped unhurt.

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