Cabinet decides on future BDR trial Monday
A draft of the gazette notification, which states any future mutiny and other offences in Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) will be tried under the Army Act, will be placed in the Monday's cabinet for approval.
“We have decided to put forward the matter to the next cabinet for approval considering its importance,” Shafique Ahmed, minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, told The Daily Star after a meeting at his Indira Road residence yesterday afternoon.
He said the BDR mutiny trial will begin next week with the formation of six separate courts across the country by the border force authorities. “The BDR director general will be the head of the courts,” he said, adding everything for the trial has been finalised.
The meeting was convened to discuss and finalise the draft.
The law minister also said trial of serious offences like killings will start after the Criminal Investigation Department submits its probe report. “We hope the report will be submitted by November.”
Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, Law Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal and Deputy Director General of BDR Brig Gen Obaidul Haque were present in the meeting.
The home minister said trial of killings and other serious crimes will be held in the Speedy Trial Tribunal.
“As per the law, trial in the tribunal must be completed in 135 working days once hearing into the trial starts,” she added.
Earlier, the BDR headquarters requested the home ministry to issue a gazette notification before the trial process of the mutineers starts.
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