Dhaka: BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday expressed doubt whether the trial of August-21 grenade attack case is being held as per directives of the government.

‘Many questions have arisen in public mind about the legal process of the August-21 grenade attack case. The ruling party is excited over its huge political success in taking revenge (on its opponents) through the court,’ he said.

Speaking at a press conference at the Party’s Nayapaltan central office, he further said, ‘There’s a serious doubt in public mind whether the trial of the August-21 case is being held as per the guideline of the government.’

The BNP leader alleged that their party senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman was implicated in the case illegally through a supplementary charge-sheet though his involvement with the attack had not been found during the investigation by the 1/11 government.

‘After returning to power in 2009, Awami League unprecedentedly appointed a pro-ruling party retired police officer as the investigation officer of the case who included Tarique Rahman’s name in the supplementary charge-sheet,’ he said.

A speedy trial tribunal here is set to deliver its verdict on October 10 in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.

Rizvi also criticised the government for what he said not taking any step for ensuring proper treatment of their party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Referring to the statements of Khaleda’s some relatives who met her in Old Dhaka central jail on Friday, he said the pains in her hands and legs aggravated further. ‘The government is deliberately refrained from ensuring Khaleda Zia’s treatment in a bid to put her life at stake.’

He demanded the government immediately ensure treatment of Khaleda in any specialised hospital like United Hospital instead of in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Rizvi said BSMMU is not equipped with modern technology and machines to conduct some necessary tests of Khaleda.

The BNP leader questioned as to why the President and different ministers go abroad for receiving treatment if the government thinks BSMMU is equipped with modern technology.