Concluding its argument, the prosecution yesterday sought death penalty for BNP senior vice President Tarique Rahman and 48 other accused in the cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004, reports UNB. Syed Rezaur Rahman, the chief prosecutor of the case, sought the highest punishment after concluding the prosecution argument at the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 while tribunal Judge Shahed Nur Uddin set Tuesday for starting the defence argument.

On August 21, 2004, the grisly grenade attack was carried out on an anti-terrorism rally arranged by Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue during the BNP-Jamaat alliance's rule, aiming to assassinate then leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina. At least 24 leaders and activists, including AL's women affairs secretary and late President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, were killed and 300 others injured in the grenade attack.

Although Sheikh Hasina luckily escaped unhurt in the attack, her hearing was affected badly.

Later, two cases -- one under the Explosive Substances Act and another for murder -- were filed in connection with the grenade attack.