The defence counsels for all 49 accused in the August 21 grenade attack cases finally completed their closing arguments yesterday.

BNP yesterday said the party wants exemplary punishment of the real culprits of the August 21 grenade attack, and alleged that the government is making efforts to fulfill its desire, using the case as a political tool.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accuses the then BNP government of perpetrating the barbaric grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004, saying that there is no doubt that Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman were directly involved in the carnage.

A Dhaka court adjourns abruptly the proceedings of two cases filed over August 21 grenade attack as several defence counsels fail to appear before it and those who were present there were not prepared.

Prosecution completes their closing arguments on facts in the cases filed over the 21st August grenade attack in 2004 that left 24 Awami League leaders and activists killed and scores injured.

The prosecution in the August 21 attack cases yesterday told a Dhaka court that BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman had assured Huji leader Mufti Abdul Hannan and his accomplices of all administrative assistance in carrying out the grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.

Condemned convict in 10 truck arms case and former State Minister Lutfozzaman Babar is released on parole for six hours for attending the namaj-e-janaza of his mother.

The gruesome killing on August 21, 2004 was one of the most shocking political crimes in the country's history. But what is more shocking is the list of the culprits behind the attack that has come into light after latest investigations.

That humid August afternoon changed Bangladesh politics, perhaps forever. An Awami League rally was in progress at the Bangabandhu Avenue and it was around 5.15pm at the fag end of the rally when Sheikh Hasina, then the opposition leader, started her speech from the top of an open truck.

Leader of the Opposition Shiekh Hasina blamed the BNP-led coalition government for yesterday's bomb and gun-attacks that she had narrowly escaped and demanded its immediate resignation. "When the bombs were hurled, my leaders and workers shielded me in such a way that I could escape the attacks," Hasina, also president of the main opposition Awami League (AL), told the BBC Bangla Service last night.