TDS Desk:

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a ruling seeking to know why there is no re-investigation commission in the case of murders committed during the BDR mutiny.

The HC bench headed by Justice Farah Mahbub issued the ruling on Tuesday (November 5).

On 25-26 February 2009, 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed in a mutiny at the headquarters of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) (the then Bangladesh Rifles) in Pilkhana, Dhaka. The incident created a stir in the international arena outside the country.

The trial of mutiny was held in the court of BGB, however, the murder cases came for trial in the conventional court. In this, two cases were lodged under the Explosives and Murder Act. 468 BDR members have been acquitted in the murder case or have been released over the explosives case.

The trial of 850 people in the murder case ended on 5 November 2013 where 152 people were hanged, 160 people were sentenced to life imprisonment, and 256 people were tried in various terms. 278 people were acquitted.

On 27 November 2017, the death reference and appeal verdict of that case were also passed in the High Court. The death sentence of 139 accused was upheld, 185 people were sentenced to life imprisonment, and another 228 were sentenced to various terms. 283 people were acquitted.

A total of 54 accused including 15 died before the High Court verdict. 226 accused have appealed and leave to appeal against the verdict passed by the High Court in the murder case.

On the other hand, the state filed a leave to appeal against the verdict of acquittal and reduction of sentence of 83 accused in the High Court. These appeals and leave to appeal are now awaiting hearing.