Staff Correspondent
The home ministry is forming a committee to re-investigate the Bangladesh Rifles massacre, says Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
“An investigation committee will be formed within the next five working days to ensure justice in the BDR massacre,” he said.
“This committee will consist of retired members of the judiciary, civil service, armed forces and police.”
Stating that the committee could consist of five, seven or nine members, Jahangir added: “Armed forces personnel will be greater in number.”
“We are forming a fresh inquiry committee.”
Regarding the committee, Jahangir said that although everyone is vocal about the issue, many do not want to come forward when it is time.
The members of the committee will be announced after names are collected and the potential members are spoken to.
“The committee will be headed by the most senior person.”
In response to a question, Jahangir said that a commission can be formed to look into the matter if everyone agrees to it after a meeting.
A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed in a bloody mutiny at the BGB Headquarters in Pilkhana on Feb 25 and 26, 2009, causing a stir in the global arena.
Two cases were filed over the incident – one for murder and the other under the Explosive Substances Act.
The release of 468 BDR members i
is stuck because of the explosive substances case after their acquittal or the completion of their sentences in the murder case.
The trial of 850 people in the murder case concluded on Nov 5, 2013. Of them, 152 were sentenced to death, 160 to life imprisonment, and 256 others to jail terms with 278 people released.
The High Court issued a death reference and appeal verdict in the case on Nov 27, 2017, upholding death sentences for 139 convicts.
As many as 185 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment while 228 others to different periods, alongside 283 people released.
A total of 54 accused, including 15 officers, died before the High Court verdict. As many as 226 convicts appealed and filed leave to appeal against the High Court verdict.
On the other hand, the state also filed a leave to appeal against the acquittal and reduction of sentence of 83 accused in the High Court.
These appeals and leave-to-appeals are now awaiting hearing.
The trial of 834 accused in the explosive substances case began in 2010.
However, in the half way, the prosecution started to present only the witnesses of the murder case, slightly halting the court proceedings in the explosive case.
There have been demands to reopen the investigation into the BDR mutiny after the interim government assumed power. The families of those killed in the BDR mutiny say they are going to the International Crimes Tribunal to seek ‘proper justice’ for the killings.
