Questions Regarding the Trial of the BDR Massacre

"Concerns Surrounding the Trial of the BDR Massacre"

The BDR mutiny and its subsequent trial have raised numerous questions. Despite the formation of an independent investigation commission, uncertainties remain about whether the true events will be revealed, whether the perpetrators will be brought to justice, and whether those currently imprisoned are actually guilty. These concerns persist despite discussions at various levels and protests by the families of the victims.

Recent developments, including the court’s location, a fire at the courthouse, and the judge’s sudden illness on the day of a verdict, have further clouded the trial process. This has led to speculation about whether the BDR massacre was retaliation for the Roumari incident or something else entirely.

Former BDR members and the affected families claim that the legal proceedings are a farce. They demand the withdrawal of false charges and the release of all imprisoned BDR personnel. There has been confusion over the court’s location, with initial plans to hold it in Keraniganj, later moving to Dhaka Alia Madrasa without prior notice to lawyers. Many see these developments as part of a conspiracy.

However, the government has now clarified that the trial will be conducted in a temporary court adjacent to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj. A gazette notification was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice confirming this. The trial was previously held at an improvised court in Bakshibazar, near Alia Madrasa, but student protests demanding the court’s removal led to disruptions, including a fire in the courtroom.

Lawyer Parvez Hossain, who represented affected BDR personnel, stated that the government itself has cast doubt on the original trial process by forming a commission, which suggests that the earlier proceedings were flawed. If the process was flawed, those imprisoned should be released.

He also pointed out a historical link to the Roumari incident, where Major General Shakil was the BDR commander at the time. Later, as BDR’s director general, he became a key target, potentially due to past military failures or diplomatic reasons. He questioned why neither the army nor the media were allowed access to the BDR headquarters during the mutiny, despite military regulations permitting the army chief to make emergency decisions.

The BDR massacre took place on February 25-26, 2009, at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana, where 57 army officers were killed. Following the incident, the government renamed the force as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).