Bangladesh’s High Court acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and 48 others, overturning their verdicts in a deadly 2004 grenade attack on a political rally.

The incident left over 20 dead and nearly 300 injured. Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had consistently claimed the trial was politically motivated. The recent judgment by a two-member High Court panel declared the 2018 trial and its verdicts "illegal," effectively acquitting all accused.

Bangladesh High Court on Wednesday acquitted former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a corruption case in which she was sentenced to seven years in jail by a lower court, according to media reports.

High court's verdict comes after the bench heard the death references and appeals related to the cases filed over the attack

The August 2004 attack occurred shortly after Sheikh Hasina, the then-Leader of Opposition, left after addressing a rally at Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue.

A top Bangladeshi politician accused of masterminding a deadly 2004 grenade attack against ex-premier Sheikh Hasina had his conviction quashed Sunday, another step in his expected return from London exile.