The High Court acquitted all 47 accused, including nine who had been sentenced to death, in the case concerning the attack on a train carrying Sheikh Hasina, then the opposition leader, in Ishwardi three decades ago.
It also scrapped the trial court’s judgment, which had imposed capital punishment on nine individuals, life imprisonment on 25, and ten-year jail terms on 13 others. The court further directed the prison authorities to release the accused who remain incarcerated.
The ruling was delivered by the High Court bench of Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman after reviewing the death reference—submitted for confirmation of the capital sentences—and hearing appeals filed by the convicted individuals against the lower court’s decision on Wednesday (5 February).
Defence lawyer Advocate Maksud Ullah stated that the acquittal was based on the prosecution’s failure to substantiate the charges against the accused.
He noted that there were no eyewitnesses to the attack and that those who testified before the magistrate were all members of the then-ruling Awami League.
The case dates back to 23 September 1994, when Sheikh Hasina, who later served as Bangladesh’s prime minister for 15 years, was travelling by train from Khulna to Saidpur in Nilphamari.
During her journey, she addressed public rallies at multiple railway stations.
According to the case statement, as the train reached Paksey station in Ishwardi, it came under attack, with crude bombs thrown and gunshots fired.
The assault continued until the train reached Ishwardi station, injuring several people, though Hasina remained unharmed.
In the aftermath, Nazrul Islam, the then officer-in-charge of Ishwardi General Railway Police Station, lodged a case against five members of the BNP and its affiliated organisations.
After a protracted legal process, a Pabna court sentenced nine individuals to death and fined them BDT 5 lakh each on 3 July 2019 under the Explosive Substances Act of 1908.
Among those sentenced to death were AKM Akteruzzaman, former president of the Ishwardi municipality BNP unit; Zakaria Pintu, its general secretary; Mokhlesur Rahman Bablu, former Ishwardi municipality mayor; Rezaul Karim Shahin, former leader of the Ishwardi Government College Chhatra Dal unit; Azizur Rahman Shahin, convener of the Ishwardi upazila Jubo Dal; and local BNP activists Shahidul Islam Atal, Shyamol, Mahabubur Rahman Polash, and Shamsul Alam.
Following the 2019 verdict, the convicts filed separate appeals with the High Court, challenging the ruling. Today’s verdict brings the long-running legal battle to an end, clearing all accused of the charges.
