The High Court on Monday directed the government to submit a report on December 15 on the formation of a National Independent Investigation Committee to thoroughly investigate the February 25–26, 2009, massacre at the then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters.
The directive came from a bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury after the government failed to meet the 10-day deadline set on November 5 for constituting the committee.
The fresh order was issued during proceedings on a writ petition filed in public interest by Supreme Court lawyers Md Tanvir Ahmed and Biplab Kumar Poddar, who sought the formation of the committee.
During the hearing, deputy attorney general Tanim Khan requested an additional week, as the proposal for the committee by the home ministry was still awaiting approval of the law ministry.
The High Court expressed dissatisfaction at the government’s lack of progress in implementing its earlier directive.
On November 5, the High Court had asked the government to explain why a National Independent Investigation Committee should not be formed to probe the BDR carnage.
It also asked the government authorities to explain why they should not be directed to officially observe the February 25–26 as Shaheed Sena Dibash (Martyred Soldiers’ Day) to honor the victims of the massacre.
Additionally, the court on November 5 had also issued an interim order directing the home ministry to resolve an application by petitioner Tanvir Ahmed within 10 days.
The application proposed the formation of an independent committee to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident.
Over the course of two days, 74 people, including 57 army officers, were brutally killed. The incident occurred during the Awami League regime under Sheikh Hasina, who was later deposed on August 5, 2009, following a mass student-led uprising.
