Wrongdoers must be punished, says home minister

Any wrongdoer must get his punishment, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said in his reaction to the verdict on the 2004 grenade attack case.

“The people in the country feel that justice has been served. It has been proved once again that anyone doing wrong will be punished," he told reporters at the Secretariat following the announcement of the verdict on Wednesday.

Judge Shahed Nuruddin announced the verdict for the sensational cases, sentencing 19 people, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu to death. 

Tarique Rahman, son of the then prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been jailed for life along with 18 others.

Eleven government officials accused in the case received different jail terms.

The grenade attack on the Awami League rally on Aug 21, 2004 killed 24 including Bangladesh Mohila Awami League President Ivy Rahman and left hundreds of AL leaders and activists injured.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina survived with partial hearing loss.

“It’s a big day for the nation as we believe a dark chapter has been removed from the history of the nation,” said the home minister.

People will feel satisfied as justice has been served and will always continue to be served, according to the home minister.

The trial continued with the 18 suspects absconding. Tarique is away in London.

The government will take necessary measures to bring back the convicts from abroad, Khan said.