BDR mutiny murder verdict on Nov5

Verdict on the murders committed during the 2009 BDR mutiny will be delivered on Nov 5.

The special court set up at the Alia Madrasa playground, next to Dhaka Central Jail, has made the official announcement about the date of the verdict.

Earlier on Oct 20, the court’s judge Akhtaruzzaman had set Oct 30 (Wednesday) for the judgment after hearing final arguments.

However, state and defence counsels said on Tuesday that they had heard that the verdict would be delayed.

State counsel Annisul Huq had said on Tuesday: “I heard the verdict won’t be delivered tomorrow (Wednesday) as it was not drafted yet.”

State Counsel Mosharraf Hossain Kajol and defence lawyer Shamim Sarder were present at the court at the time.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a programme at Ganabhaban on Tuesday said such a big case had never been filed. “That’s why it is taking time to write the verdict. The verdict will be delivered soon.”

There are 834 accused including 23 civilians in the murder case filed over the killings at Peelkhana. Former BNP MP Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu is also among the accused.

The trial of the mutiny was held in accordance with the Act related to Bangladesh Border Guard. The trial of the killing of 73 people in the erstwhile BDR headquarters in Peelkhana and other charges were being conducted in line with the existing law.

The prosecution wrapped up arguments on Sept 29 while the defence finished its arguments on Oct 20.

Dhaka’s Special Judge Johurul Haque began the trial proceedings on Jan 5, 2011. Testimony started on Aug 24 that year.

A total of 1,345 people including ministers, MPs, former and incumbent personnel of the army, navy and air force, former and present inspectors general of police and civilians testified in the case. Finally the testimony was wrapped up with the statements of 654 witnesses.

One murder case and two cases under Explosives Act were filed with Lalbagh Police Station in connection with the BDR killings. Later the cases were shifted to New Market Police Station.

The Criminal Investigation Department submitted chargesheet against 824 people including 23 civilians in the murder case. Later, 26 more people were included in the supplementary charge sheet.

In the case under Explosives Act, the CID pressed charges against 808 people. Later, 26 more people were included.

Trial of both the cases went concurrently.

In the murder case, 20 accused remained fugitive and four accused died during trial.

A total of 70 including 57 army officers were killed in the Bangladesh Rifles mutiny that was staged from Feb 25 to 26 in 2009.

Bangladesh Rifles was renamed Border Guard Bangladesh after the bloody mutiny.

Mutiny murder verdict delayed