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2004 grenade attack: 2 ex-ministers get death, Khaleda’s son jailed for life (Lead)

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Dhaka, Oct 10 (IANS) A Bangladesh court on Wednesday sentenced 19 people, including two former ministers, to death and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman to life imprisonment for their role in the 2004 grenade attack on a political rally that killed 24 people and injured 500.

Former Minister of State for Home Lutfozzaman Babar and former Deputy Minister for Education Abdus Salam Pintu were among those sentenced to death. Both were the leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which was then in power, bdnews24.com reported.

The August 2004 attack targeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rally, who was the opposition leader at the time. A series of grenades exploded as she was stepping off a truck, which was used as a dais for the Awami League party rally on Bangabandhu Avenue.

She survived with partial hearing loss.

Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the the current opposition BNP and her former political secretary Harris Chowdhury were among 19 sentenced to life imprisonment. The sentence also included jail terms for 11 other people.

Declaring the verdict in the case, Judge Shahed Nuruddin said a conspiracy was underway to obliterate the Awami League. He linked the attack as part of a conspiracy that led to the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

“The conspiracy did not stop with the killing of Bangabandhu. It continued… It was not a mere attack. It was a hateful attempt to make the then opposition party leaderless,” the judge said.

The BNP said the court verdict was “dictated” by the government.

“The BNP thinks that the verdict is politically motivated. It is a clear sign of political vengeance by the ruling party. We are rejecting this verdict,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

To condemn the jailing of its acting chief, the BNP announced a five-day programme, including street protests and black-flag processions.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will seek scaled-up punishments for Rahman, Chowdhury and BNP leader Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad.

“The mastermind of the case is Tarique Rahman. He should have been given death penalty,” said Huq.

Twenty-four people, including Ivy Rahman, the women affairs secretary of Awami League and wife of the country’s former President Mohammad Zillur Rahman, were killed in the grenade attack.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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