2004 Dhaka grenade attack

Terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh December 2024 November 2024 March 2022 Dhaka grenade attack Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue (Formerly Bangabandhu Avenue), Paltan, Dhaka, Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and Awami League rally in response to 2004 Shah Jalal bombingBlasts hit Bangladesh party rally https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3586384.stm BBC News 26 December 2008 8 December 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081208074518/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3586384.stm live 21 August 2004 17:21 UTC+06:00 Grenade 24 (including Ivy Rahman) Over 500 Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (alleged) Bangladesh Nationalist Party (alleged) The 2004 Dhaka grenade attack took place at an anti-terrorism rally organised by Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue (now Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue) on 21 August 2004.Saifuddin August 21 grenade attack: The day democracy almost died https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/292647/august-21-grenade-attack-the-day-democracy-almost 2025-08-15 Dhaka Tribune en The attack left 24 dead and more than 500 injured.2020-08-21 The day Bangladesh's politics changed forever https://www.tbsnews.net/august-21st/day-bangladeshs-politics-changed-forever-122215 2025-08-15 The Business Standard en The attack was carried out at 5:22 PM after Sheikh Hasina, the then leader of the opposition had finished addressing a crowd of 20,000 people from the back of a truck used as the stage.Bhattacharjee Partha 21 August 2014 Back from death, only to suffer http://www.thedailystar.net/back-from-death-only-to-suffer-38058 The Daily Star 20 September 2014 22 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140822053032/http://www.thedailystar.net/back-from-death-only-to-suffer-38058 live Hasina also sustained some injuries in the attack.Sultan Tipu Karmakar Prasanta 10 years of 21 August grenade attack http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/52307/Ten-years-since-the-21-August-grenade-atta dead Prothom Alo https://web.archive.org/web/20141114145452/http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/52307/Ten-years-since-the-21-August-grenade-atta 14 November 2014 9 July 2015 Events and casualties Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina had been speaking at a public meeting in Bangabandhu Avenue, protesting against blasts against terrorist grenade attack on the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Anwar Choudhury in Sylhet. The rally drew a crowd of 20,000 people.Adiga Aravind 30 August 2004 Bangladesh: A democracy is shaken https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,689488,00.html Time 20 March 2013 As Hasina finished her speech, a total of 13 grenades were thrown into the crowd from the rooftops of nearby buildings, killing at least 16 people on the spot. Later the death toll reached 24. The blast left more than 500 injured. Among the dead were Hasina's bodyguard, Mahbubur Rahman, and Awami League Women's Affairs Secretary Ivy Rahman, who died from her injuries three days later.End of a fight – Ivy dies from her wounds after 58 hours https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/25/d4082501011.htm The Daily Star 25 August 2004 5 May 2015https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/08/21/d60821011310.htm Hasina says govt didn't carry out proper probe The Daily Star 22 August 2019 Reaction The Awami League called for a nationwide hartal on 23 and 24 August 2004 following the incident. Khaleda Zia, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, condemned the attacks and also vowed a thorough probe to catch the culprits.Bangladesh awakes in shock as blast toll hits 18 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/22/1093113031418.html?from=storylhs The Age 20 September 2014 7 February 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230207234754/https://www.theage.com.au/world/bangladesh-awakes-in-shock-as-blast-toll-hits-18-20040823-gdyi3x.html live An intercity train was burned down by Awami League activists on strike in Bhairab. Awami League activists also organized protests in Chittagong and furled black flags at the sight of the attack. A funeral service for the victims at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque was attended by 20 thousand people.https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/23/d4082301011.htm Passenger train torched at Bhairab; AL workers fight with cops The Daily Star 22 August 2019 Protestors in Dhaka were attacked by members of Bangladesh Police and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the workers wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal activists also attacked and injured six members of the press.https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/24/d4082401011.htm Cops, BNP men attack protest processions The Daily Star 22 August 2019 President of the United States, George W. Bush, expressed "shock" at the attack and conveyed his message to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and opposition leader Sheikh Hasina through the Secretary of State of the United States, Colin Powell. The attack was also condemned by the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden.https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/24/d4082401022.htm Powell phones Khaleda, Hasina; Straw slates attack; envoys visit AL president The Daily Star 22 August 2019 Investigation Initial investigation Bangladesh Police refused to register any criminal case filed by Bangladesh Awami League over the attack and only registered a general diary. The BNP-led government initially refused to hand over the bodies of the victims, according to Hasina.https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/23/d4082301022.htm 'I heard a bang and blood splashed on my body' The Daily Star 22 August 2019 Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol made repeated visits to Bangladesh to provide technical support.https://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/08/21/d5082101033.htm One Year into Aug 21 Carnage Manik Julfikar Ali Ashraf Shamim The Daily Star 22 August 2019 The Government also tried to implicate Mokhlesur Rahman, an Awami League activist, and Shaibal Saha Partha. They were arrested by Bangladesh Police.https://www.voabangla.com/a/a-16-a-2004-09-01-1-fbi-94349234/1385284.html FBI in Dhaka to probe grenade attacks Voice of America bn 22 August 2019 22 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190822035625/https://www.voabangla.com/a/a-16-a-2004-09-01-1-fbi-94349234/1385284.html live Shaibal Saha Partha and Joj Miah were tortured in custody and forced to give a false confessional statement.https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/testimony-terror-sponsored-state-130054 Testimony to terror sponsored by state 21 August 2015 The Daily Star 22 August 2019 22 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190822073308/https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/testimony-terror-sponsored-state-130054 live An investigation by the Supreme Court Bar Association accused the government of destroying evidence. The government was also criticised for hurriedly burying two unidentified dead bodies from the terror attack in the middle of the night. In 2004, the 4-Party Alliance's coalition government assigned the Crime Investigation Department of the police to oversee the investigation. They came up with a story that some Joj Miah, also known as Jamal Ahmed from Noakhali district, along with 14 other criminals of the Seven Star terrorist group of Subrata Bain, attacked the Awami League rally. They met at Moghbazar before the attack, and rehearsed at a remote island before the attack.Joj Mia gives deposition https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/news/54443/Joj-Mia-gives-deposition Prothom Alo 10 October 2018 10 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181010134901/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/news/54443/Joj-Mia-gives-deposition live The government of Bangladesh formed a one-man judicial probe led by Justice Joynul Abedin. The Awami League rejected the commission, which blamed the attack on a neighboring country. The Daily Star described Abedin as a "shame" for the judiciary in Bangladesh.https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/one-man-shame-judiciary-1788154 One man shame for judiciary 21 August 2019 The Daily Star 22 August 2019 22 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190822071731/https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/one-man-shame-judiciary-1788154 live On 26 June 2005, Joj Mia, a petty criminal, confessed his involvement in the crime under section 164, to the magistrate. The story collapsed following investigative journalism that discovered holes in the official story. 2007–2008 investigation In 2007, after the military-backed government assumed office, many of the BNP and Awami League leaders were rounded up by the government agencies, and a fresh investigation into the case was launched. After almost one year, in November 2007, Mufti Hannan, a militant leader from Gopalganj who was arrested by the BNP-led government in 2005, revealed that the attack was operated by the militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, of which he was a leader. He also admitted that he got support from Maulana Tazuddin, brother of BNP leader and former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, while coordinating the attack.http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2007/11/02/huji-boss-hannan-admits-to-aug-21-grenade-attack/ dead Huji boss Hannan admits to Aug 21 grenade attack Bangladesh News 2 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20130316064037/http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2007/11/02/huji-boss-hannan-admits-to-aug-21-grenade-attack/ 16 March 2013 20 March 2013 According to his statement, Abdus Salam Pintu had knowledge of the attack. In 2008, after the detailed investigation, the then CID high official Mohammad Javed Patwary concluded that the attack was aimed at killing Sheikh Hasina and was guided by the common grievance of both Mufti Hannan and Abdus Salam Pintu against Sheikh Hasina for her role in "subduing" Islam. The investigation report mentioned that Abdus Salam Pintu was personally responsible for the attack. Further investigation In 2009, the Awami League came to office and decided to launch a further investigation into the incident and appointed a retired CID official, Abdul Kahar Akhand, as the person in charge. In the same year, Abdul Majed Bhat, alias Yusuf Bhat, gave a confessional statement with the details regarding the source of grenades used in the attack. He claimed that Muzaffar Ahmad Shah of Tehrik-e-Jihad Islami (TEJI) gave the grenades to Maulana Tajuddin to send those to Indian militant groups. Tajuddin, instead of sending those to India, kept those with him. According to Yusuf Bhat, these grenades were later handed over to Mufti Hannan to carry out the attack.Dipu Sarwar Pakistani militant Yusuf Bhat's 'Bangladesh Mission' https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/militancy/2018/08/23/pakistani-militant-yusuf-bhat-s-bangladesh-mission Dhaka Tribune 10 October 2018 25 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191025023454/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/militancy/2018/08/23/pakistani-militant-yusuf-bhat-s-bangladesh-mission live After two years, in 2011, Mufti Hannan gave another confessional statement implicating many big names, mostly BNP leaders and some former officials of the government including the son of opposition leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, former member of parliament Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and some officials of the Home Ministry, police, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with involvement in the planning of the bombing.April 2025 In the statement, Mufti Hannan claimed that the attack was aimed at destroying the top leadership of Awami League, including Sheikh Hasina, and BNP leader Tarique Rahman, along with Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and the Home Minister Lutfozzaman Babar assured them of government support.April 2025 Perpetrators Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI) leader Mufti Abdul Hannan was arrested on 30 September 2005 for the grenade attacks,Mufti Hannan arrested http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2005/09/30/mufti-hannan-arrested-1st-ld bdnews24.com 30 September 2005 21 June 2016 29 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160529034412/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2005/09/30/mufti-hannan-arrested-1st-ld live and was later charged in connection with it. He reportedly confessed to the attacks in November 2007. He was sentenced to death in December 2008 for attempting to kill Anwar Choudhury in 2004.Uttam Khan http://news.theage.com.au/world/three-bangladeshis-to-hang-for-attack-on-british-envoy-20081223-74dm.html Three Bangladeshis to hang for attack on British envoy The Age 23 December 2008 20 March 2013 11 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120311174640/http://news.theage.com.au/world/three-bangladeshis-to-hang-for-attack-on-british-envoy-20081223-74dm.html live In March 2012, the son of opposition leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and 28 others were tried in absentia for their alleged involvement in the attack.Dhaka court indicts ex-premier's son for 2004 grenade attack http://www.deccanherald.com/content/235430/dhaka-court-indicts-ex-premiers.html Deccan Herald 18 March 2012 22 March 2013 19 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082530/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/235430/dhaka-court-indicts-ex-premiers.html live The supplementary charge sheets charges HuJI, influential leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, including former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, former member of parliament Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and some officials of the Home Ministry, police, DGFI, NSI and PMO with involvement in the planning of the bombing.Tipu Md Sanaul Islam Prosecutor: AL grenade attack cases may see verdict by December https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-others/104495/prosecutor-al-grenade-attack-cases-may-see Dhaka Tribune 9 July 2015 Jamal Ahmed, also known as Joj Mia, was coerced into giving a false confession. He was forced to implicate Seven-Star Group, led by Subrata Bain, through torture by security forces during BNP rule.Joj Mia gives deposition http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/54443/Joj-Mia-gives-deposition Prothom Alo 9 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20141205025820/http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/54443/Joj-Mia-gives-deposition 5 December 2014 dead Charges and punishments On 10 October 2018, a special court, Speedy Trial Tribunal-1, delivered verdicts in relevant cases and accused 49 people.http://www.unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/verdict-in-aug-21-grenade-attack-cases-babar-salam-among-31-accused-taken-to-court/3929 Verdict in Aug 21 grenade attack cases: Babar, Salam among 31 accused taken to court United News of Bangladesh 15 October 2018 10 October 2018 15 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181015080252/http://www.unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/verdict-in-aug-21-grenade-attack-cases-babar-salam-among-31-accused-taken-to-court/3929 livehttps://www.thedailystar.net/august-21-carnage/21-august-grenade-attack-verdict-tarique-rahman-awarded-life-1645090 August 21 attack: 'State-backed crime' punished 11 October 2018 The Daily Star 14 October 2018 Shakhawat Liton Chaitanya Chandra Halder Wasim Bin Habib Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary 12 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181012005216/https://www.thedailystar.net/august-21-carnage/21-august-grenade-attack-verdict-tarique-rahman-awarded-life-1645090 live It ruled the grenade attack "was a well-orchestrated plan, executed through abuse of state power". Judge Shahed Nuruddin said, "The specialised deadly Arges grenades that are used in wars were blasted at the Awami League's central office on 23 Bangabandhu Avenue in broad daylight with the help of the then state machinery". On charges of killing through common intention, planning, and criminal conspiracy, 38 persons were found guilty.https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/grenade-attack-in-2004-was-designed-to-obliterate-awami-league-says-judge Grenade attack in 2004 was designed to 'obliterate' Awami League, says judge 14 October 2018 10 October 2018 bdnews24.com Nineteen were sentenced to death: 30em Lutfozzaman Babar Abdus Salam Pintu Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury General Abdur Rahim Maulana Md Tajuddin Md Hanif Maulana Sheikh Abdus Salam Md Abdul Mazed Bhat (alias Md Yousuf Bhat) Abdul Malek (alias Golam Mohammad and GM) Maulana Shawkat Hossain (alias Sheikh Farid) Mahibullah (alias Mafijur Rahman and Ovi) Maulana Abu Sayeed (alias Jafar) Abul Kalam Azad (alias Bulbul) Md Jahangir Alam Hafiz Maulana Abu Taher Hossain Ahmed Tamim Main Uddin Sheikh (alias Mufti Main, Khajwa, Abu Jandal, and Masum Billah) Md Rafiqul Iqbal Islam (alias Sabuj, Khalid Saifullah, Shamim and Rashed) Md Ujjal (alias Ratan) On the same charges, 19 others were given life in prison sentences, including Tarique Rahman, Harris Chowdhury, and Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. All 38 were also found guilty of grievously injuring victims through common intention, planning, and criminal conspiracy and sentenced to jail for 20 years. On the charge for harbouring the offenders, former Inspectors General of Police Ashraful Huda and Shahudul Haque were sentenced to two years in jail. For the charges of harbouring and protecting the offenders, Saiful Islam Duke, Saiful Islam Joarder, and ATM Amin were given four years in jail. For the charge of misleading the investigation and making the "Joj Mia" story, IGP Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, SP of CID Ruhul Amin, ASPs of CID Abdur Rashid and Munshi Atikur Rahman were sentenced to two years in prison. A total of 18 convicts were at large at the time of the verdict. On 1 December 2024, all accused were acquitted by the high court in this case.21 August grenade attack: HC scraps verdict, acquits Tarique, Babar, other convicts https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/court/21-aug-grenade-attack-high-court-acquits-all-convicts-1006751 The Business Standard 1 December 2024 enHC acquits Tarique, Babar, and all other accused of 21 August attack case https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/01ir14khni Prothom Alo 1 December 2024 en Appeal and verdict On 22 November 2024, the High Court concluded a hearing on the appeals and death references of the grenade attack cases.HC concludes hearing on appeals, death references https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/politics-policies/hc-concludes-hearing-on-appeals-death-references-1732208605 The Financial Express 22 November 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241122080438/https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/politics-policies/hc-concludes-hearing-on-appeals-death-references-1732208605 22 November 2024 enAug 21 grenade attack cases: HC to deliver verdict any day https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/aug-21-grenade-attack-cases-hc-deliver-verdict-any-day-3758966 The Daily Star 22 November 2024 en On 1 December 2024, Tarique Rahman, Lutfozzaman Babar, Abdus Salam Pintu and all other accused was acquitted by court.Tarique, Babar, others acquitted in Aug 21 grenade attack cases https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/tarique-babar-others-acquitted-aug-21-grenade-attack-cases-3765706 The Daily Star 1 December 2024 enTarique Rahman, all other accused acquitted in Aug 21 grenade attack case https://www.observerbd.com/news/501318 The Daily Observer 1 December 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241201062006/https://www.observerbd.com/news/501318 1 December 2024 Controversies and divergent views Awami League's allegations of state sponsorship by the BNP-Jamaat alliance The Awami League has consistently maintained that the grenade attack on their rally in 2004 was sponsored by the then-incumbent BNP-Jamaat coalition government. They have emphatically argued that the sheer scale and coordination of the operation point to the complicity of the state machinery, particularly intelligence agencies loyal to the BNP. The target of the attack, then-Opposition Leader Sheikh Hasina, has asserted in numerous public addresses that such an assault would have been impossible without direct governmental cooperation; she has cited the involvement of high-ranking political figures in both the planning and execution phases. Sheikh Hasina has specifically accused the BNP-Jamaat administration of providing logistical support and security cover for the perpetrators.Couldn't have been possible without govt patronage The Daily Star 2019-08-22 https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/pm-sheikh-hasina-says-bnp-jamaat-govt-involved-august-21-carnage-1788760 2025-11-19 Reasoning on 21 August 2020, she stated, "An attack like that of August 21, 2004, would not have been possible without the direct patronage of the then BNP-Jamaat government." Reiterating similar claims in 2023, she remarked that there was "no doubt" that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son, Tarique Rahman, along with their associates, had orchestrated this conspiracy from Hawa Bhaban, the building known as the nerve center of the BNP's operations.PM Hasina says Khaleda, her son behind 21 Aug attack Prothom Alo 2020-08-21 https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/pm-hasina-says-khaleda-her-son-behind-21-aug-attack 2025-11-19No doubt Khaleda, Tarique and their men were involved: PM The Daily Star 2023-08-21 https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/august-21-grenade-attack/news/no-doubt-khaleda-tarique-and-their-men-were-involved-pm-3399501 2025-11-19 To substantiate their claims, the party points to issues such as the prolonged delay in apprehending suspects during the BNP's tenure and the initial official narratives, which appeared designed to deflect blame as evidence of complicity and obstruction of justice. In annual events commemorating the victims, the Awami League portrays the attack as a state-backed assassination attempt aimed at annihilating the opposition leadership.From the archives: Joj Mia drama The Daily Star 2018-10-09 https://www.thedailystar.net/august-21-carnage/news/joj-mia-drama-the-real-deal-1644658 2025-11-1921 August grenade attack sign of BNP's vindictive politics: Hasan Prothom Alo 2022-08-22 https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/vn01cvkojf 2025-11-19 It was on the basis of these allegations that investigations and judicial proceedings were conducted under the post-2008 Awami League-led government, resulting in various sentences, including life imprisonment, for several BNP leaders in 2018 on charges of patronage. However, following the ouster of the Awami League, a verdict delivered by a reconstituted High Court in December 2024 acquitted 49 individuals, including prominent BNP leaders.Alam Julhas Bangladesh court acquits Zia's son and 48 others convicted in 2004 deadly grenade attack AP News 2024-12-01 https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-grenade-attack-hasina-khaleda-zia-tarique-1a7e519a9bc3358d528e8e377561906a 2025-11-19 BNP's rebuttal and allegations of political fabrication The BNP remains steadfast in its position that it played no role in the planning of the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina's rally on 21 August 2004; they have dismissed allegations of patronage or involvement as baseless attempts by the Awami League to malign the opposition. BNP leaders, including the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, contend that these charges were born out of political vendetta rather than credible evidence. Simultaneously, the party alleges that the Awami League-led government manipulated the investigative and judicial processes to consolidate power prior to elections.Bangladesh court quashes convictions for grenade attack on ex-PM France 24 2024-12-01 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241201-bangladesh-court-quashes-convictions-for-grenade-attack-on-ex-pm 2025-11-19Hefty sentences for deadly 2004 attack in Bangladesh Deutsche Welle 2018-10-10 https://www.dw.com/en/bangladeshi-opposition-chief-gets-life-sentence-over-deadly-2004-attack/a-45821210 2025-11-19 The 2018 lower court verdict had sentenced 19 individuals to death and handed a life term to Tarique Rahman. The BNP characterized this verdict as the product of coerced confessions secured under the Awami League's influence, as well as procedural flaws, including bias in witness selection and the disregarding of forensic discrepancies.Bangladesh HC acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia's son in 2004 Hasina attack case The Hindu 2024-12-01 https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-hc-acquits-ex-pm-khaleda-zias-son-in-2004-hasina-attack-case/article68935098.ece 2025-11-19 On 4 September 2025, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court dismissed a petition for a retrial, thereby upholding the High Court's judgment of acquittal.Bangladesh Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal of All 38 in 2004 Dhaka Grenade Attack Case newsonair.gov.in 2022-06-01 https://www.newsonair.gov.in/bangladesh-supreme-court-upholds-acquittal-of-all-38-in-2004-dhaka-grenade-attack-case/ 2025-11-19 Questions regarding the integrity of evidence and militant involvement Critics have raised significant concerns regarding the chain of custody and preservation of physical evidence from the 21 August 2004 attack, including allegations of the deliberate destruction of evidence during the initial police investigation. In 2017, a prosecution witness testified that evidence was intentionally destroyed during the probe, casting doubt on the reliability of forensic materials such as grenade fragments and residue samples.August 21 grenade attack evidence intentionally destroyed Dhaka Tribune 2017-08-21 https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/crime/84658/august-21-grenade-attack-evidence-intentionally 2025-11-19 Such negligence in preservation indicates a failure in the 'chain of custody,' as no independent verification of the evidence flow was documented publicly, which was subsequently identified as a weakness in the evidentiary record during judicial review.Bangladesh : Grenade Attack on Opposition Party https://www.amnesty.org/es/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/asa130012005en.pdf 2025-11-19 Amnesty International The acquittal of all 49 defendants by the High Court in 2024, and its subsequent affirmation by the Supreme Court in September 2025, underscored a profound deficit in forensic criminal identification. The bench noted a lack of evidence establishing a link between the recovered explosives and the specific accused. In the absence of a forensic re-examination, the verdict leaves unresolved questions regarding the provenance and testing of the munitions, including whether the Arges grenades matched known militant stockpiles without any contamination or mismanagement.Sarkar Ashutosh Wait for justice: 21 years and counting The Daily Star 2025-08-21 https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/wait-justice-21-years-and-counting-3967346 2025-11-19 Alternative analyses suggest a distinct role for Islamist militant groups in the attack.2018-10-16 South Asia Weekly Report https://www.orfonline.org/research/south-asia-weekly-report-vol-xi-issue-42-44981 2025-11-19 Observr Research Foundation Organizations such as Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), known for their anti-secular activities, are suspected of involvement, as the coordinated nature of the grenade tossing aligns with their established modus operandi in several respects.Bangladesh Today https://www.justice.gov/file/277191/dl 2025-11-19 23 October 2006 U.S. Department of Justice References Category:2004 mass murders Category:Terrorist incidents in Bangladesh in 2004 Category:2004 in Dhaka Category:21st-century mass murders in Bangladesh Category:Trials in Bangladesh Category:Murder in Dhaka Category:2004 murders in Bangladesh Category:Grenade attacks in Bangladesh Category:Sheikh Hasina Category:2004 explosions Category:Failed assassination attempts in Bangladesh Category:Assassinations in Bangladesh Category:August 2004 in Bangladesh Category:August 2004 crimes in Asia Category:2004 in politics Category:History of the Awami League Category:Tarique Rahman