‘Faulty’ inquiry set free influential conspirators of Bangabandhu’s murder, says Chief Justice Sinha

A “faulty” investigation into the killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members in 1975 helped some “influential persons” evade the trial, Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha has said.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 15 August 2017, 11:44 AM
Updated : 15 August 2017, 11:44 AM

The top judge made his point while attending a blood donation programme held at the Supreme Court marking the 42nd death anniversary of the nation’s founder on Tuesday.

Bangabandhu, the independence leader and first president of the country, was assassinated on Aug 15, 1975, at his Dhanmondi house by some rogue army men who broke ranks in carrying out one of the bloodiest political assassinations in recorded history.

“Some influential people played roles in hatching the conspiracy but we could not try them given a faulty investigation that followed,” Justice Sinha said.

“However, we clearly stated in our verdict that it was a criminal conspiracy; a planned murder. They must also be tried.”

Sinha joined the Supreme Court as the chief justice in January 2015. Since his joining, this is the second time that the top court has arranged the blood donation programme on National Mourning Day.

“They (killers) tried to erase Bangabandhu’s name from history. The nature of the murders is unparalleled,” said Sinha, the chief guest of the event.

Many had claimed that the murders were results of revolts by some unruly army men, said Sinha. “But this was a conspiracy against Bangladesh. It became evident when indemnities were given to the killers just about a month into the killings.”

He narrated how Khandakar Mushtaq Ahmed, who served as the president of Bangladesh from Aug 15 to Nov 6 in 1975, proclaimed the Indemnity Ordinance granting immunity to the assassins of Bangabandhu from prosecution.

“I am proud to be a member of the judiciary. This Supreme Court scrapped the Indemnity Ordinance and paved the way for justice.”

Justice Sinha recalled how he returned to Bangladesh from Singapore leaving his treatment for cancer only to take oath as a member of the Appellate Division bench that was formed to hear the appeals against the High Court verdict on the Bangabandhu murder.

Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, who was present at the discussion, said: “I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree when the 1970 elections were held. No leader other than Bangabandhu dared representing East Pakistan.”

“It is because of him that the nation is sovereign and I am a senior justice at the Appellate Division today. I would have ended up as a High Court judge if this country had still remained Pakistan.”

Supreme Court officials and High Court judges donated blood at the programme arranged in association with the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.