The CID sought 45 days more from a Dhaka court yesterday to complete further investigation into one of the two cases filed for the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.

CID's (Criminal Investigation Department) Special Superintendent of Police Abdul Kahar Akand, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the petition with Judge Mohammad Zohurul Hoque of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court.

The court will hear the petition today that sought time for the probe into the case filed under Explosive Substances Act.

The investigators got 20 months in seven phases so far to get through the probe.

Earlier on March 1, the court warned the IO for delaying the probe into the case and directed him to submit the report by April 4.

In the yesterday's forwarding report, the IO said Harkatul Jihad (Huji) leader Abdur Rouf was earlier shown arrested and remanded for nine days in the case. During the remand, Rouf gave important information about supplying the grenades used in die attacks.

Moreover, the foreign ministry requested the Pakistan government to arrest another Huji leader Moulana Tajuddin, brother of BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu, and a red alert was declared through Interpol. So, more time is needed for theprobe.thelO said.

At least 23 people, including AL leader Ivy Rahman, were killed and scores of others injured when assailants hurled grenades on an AL rally at Bangabandhu Avenue on August21,2004.

AL president and the then leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped the attack.

The case filed for murder is now pending with the Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court in Dhaka.