Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told the Jatiya Sangsad that 15 convicts in the August 21 grenade attack case, including the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, are absconding.
In her scripted answer, she said that 15 accused including Tarique are currently absconding while an Interpol red notice has been issued against accused Maulana Tajuddin, Haris Chowdhury and Ratul Ahmed Babu alias Ratul Babu who are absconding abroad.
She said that efforts are on to nab the absconding accused.
The prime minister said that two charge sheets have been filed against 52 people in connection with the grenade attack on August 21.
She said that out of the 52 defendants in the charge sheet, three defendants were hanged in other cases before the verdict was announced.
The speedy trial tribunal announced the verdict on October 10, 2018, she said, adding that 49 defendants were sentenced in the trial, including 19 to death, 19 to life imprisonment and 11 to various terms of imprisonment. Out of the 49 accused, 34 have been arrested.
Incidentally, it has been reported in the media that Harish Chowdhury died while in hiding in Bangladesh.
In response to the question of independent lawmaker Hamidul Haque Khandkar, the PM said that after completing the survey of the Chinese government鈥檚 financial support for the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, the Chinese government had sent an evaluation report on PDPP to the Economic Relations Department on March 5, 2023.
She said the Chinese government suggested a more detailed survey for phased implementation of the project.
According to the instructions of the Chinese government, the Power China Authority sent the proposal for revision of the feasibility study report to the Bangladesh Water Development Board on August 27. In this context, the next activities are being implemented, she said.
In response to the question of Awami League lawmaker Anwar Hossain Khan, the prime minister said, 鈥業n 15 districts of the country which are more prone to lightning, the implementation of lightning prevention measures to prevent the loss of life due to lightning is underway. Under the proposed project, the proposal for installing 6,793 lightning rods/lightning protection canopies has been sent to the Planning Commission.鈥�
In response to a question from independent lawmaker Abdullah Nahid Nigar, the prime minister said that after the current government came to power, 56 cases have been settled in the International Crime Tribunal established for the trial of crimes against humanity and war criminals and a total of 153 accused have been sentenced to various terms including death penalty.
She said that the current government is working relentlessly to establish the rule of law by guaranteeing fair trials to reduce the suffering of the people seeking justice.
The government is committed to ensuring justice on the basis of equality for all, irrespective of the rich and poor, and establishing justice in society by making visible improvements in the justice system, she said.
