The government has decided to withdraw its earlier decision to form a commission to investigate the BDR massacre. The primary reason cited is the ongoing legal proceedings in two related cases, prompting the decision to hold off on establishing a commission for the time being.
The decision was informed by Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan, on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday (15 December).
He informed a High Court bench led by Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury.
On 5 August, following political changes in the country, demands resurfaced for a reinvestigation into the BDR massacre. At that time, the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus announced plans for a commission to investigate the incident under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
On 25-26 February 2009, a mutiny at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana resulted in the brutal killing of 74 individuals, including 57 army officers. Initially, two cases were filed at Lalbagh Police Station under murder and explosives laws. These cases were later transferred to New Market Police Station.
Following an extensive investigation, the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) filed a charge sheet against 824 individuals, including 23 civilians, in the murder case. In the case related to explosives, the CID charged 808 individuals, later adding 26 more in a supplementary charge sheet, bringing the total to 834 accused.
During the trial, four of the accused, including the then-BDR Deputy Assistant Director Rahim, passed away. In the aftermath of the bloodshed, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) was renamed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
